Buy, use, discard, and buy again: this linear consumption model is living its final days in France. In the face of the climate emergency and the need to protect household purchasing power, the French legislature has made a 180-degree turn by establishing a genuine "right to repair." At the heart of this legal revolution is the law of February 10, 2020, relating to the fight against waste and the circular economy, known as the loi AGEC (Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy Law). This law imposes new repair obligations on manufacturers and distributors while granting new rights to consumers. Whether you are a French citizen or a foreign resident living in France, understanding these rules will allow you to assert your rights, extend the lifespan of your equipment, and achieve substantial savings.
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The law n° 2020-105 of February 10, 2020 (loi AGEC) has profoundly modified the Code de la consommation (French Consumer Code) in order to fight against planned obsolescence and to promote the repair of electrical, electronic, and other categories of consumer goods. This legislation relies on several binding legal pillars for professionals.
One of the flagship measures of the loi AGEC, codified in Article L. 541-9-2 of the Code de l'environnement (French Environmental Code), is the obligation to display an indice de réparabilité (repairability index) for certain categories of products (smartphones, laptops, televisions, washing machines, lawnmowers, etc.). This index, scored out of 10, allows the consumer to know, at the time of purchase, whether the product is easily repairable or not. Since January 1, 2024, this index is gradually evolving into an indice de durabilité (durability index) for certain equipment, integrating new criteria such as the reliability and robustness of the product.
For repair to be possible, spare parts must first be accessible. Article L. 111-4 of the Code de la consommation requires manufacturers and importers of movable goods to inform sellers of the period during which the spare parts essential for the use of the goods will be available on the market. The seller must obligatorily pass this information on to the consumer in a legible manner before the sale is concluded.
Furthermore, for certain products (notably computer and telephone equipment), manufacturers must supply these parts to professional repairers and consumers within a maximum period of 15 working days.
The garantie légale de conformité (legal warranty of conformity), provided for by Article L. 217-3 of the Code de la consommation, protects the consumer against manufacturing defects for a period of 2 years from the purchase of a new product (and 12 months for a second-hand product).
The loi AGEC introduced a major breakthrough: if, during this 2-year warranty period, the consumer requests the repair of the good from the seller, and the seller carries it out, the product benefits from a 6-month warranty extension (Article L. 217-13 of the Code de la consommation). Better still, if the seller chooses to replace the item instead of repairing it when the consumer had requested its repair, the new product benefits from a complete renewal of the 2-year warranty (Article L. 217-14 of the Code de la consommation).
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In order to encourage consumers to take the step of repairing rather than buying new, the State has set up the Bonus Réparation (Repair Bonus). This scheme is financed by approved eco-organisms through the Responsabilité Élargie des Producteurs (REP / Extended Producer Responsibility) channels.
It is an immediate discount applied directly to the repair invoice of an appliance that is no longer under warranty. To benefit from it, the consumer must obligatorily use a repairer certified with the QualiRépar label. It is the repairer who directly deducts the amount of the bonus from the final invoice and is subsequently reimbursed by the eco-organism (such as Ecosystem or Ecologic).
The amount of assistance varies according to the complexity and nature of the appliance. Here are some examples of the flat-rate assistance applicable in 2024:
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If your appliance breaks down, here is the legal and practical protocol to follow to optimize your chances of repair at the lowest cost.
Before taking any steps, check the purchase date of your appliance. If it is less than 2 years old (or less than 12 months for a second-hand product purchased from a professional), it is covered by the garantie légale de conformité.
If your appliance is no longer under warranty, you must find a certified professional to benefit from the Bonus Réparation.
The repairer must provide you with a devis (quote) before carrying out the work. This quote must mention the cost of parts, labor, and, where applicable, the clear deduction of the Bonus Réparation.
Since January 1, 2022, for certain categories of electrical and electronic equipment, repairers have an obligation to offer consumers pièces issues de l'économie circulaire (PIEC / spare parts from the circular economy, i.e., second-hand parts) instead of new parts, subject to their availability.
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To better understand the scope of these rules, let us analyze two everyday situations.
Thomas bought a new washing machine for 600 € in January 2023. In June 2024 (i.e., 17 months after purchase), the drain pump breaks down. The appliance is still under the 2-year garantie légale de conformité.
Elena owns a smartphone purchased 3 years ago for 800 €. The screen cracks and the battery no longer holds a charge. The device is no longer under warranty. Elena goes to a repairer certified with the QualiRépar label.
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Yes. The Bonus Réparation applies to repair operations carried out in France by a QualiRépar certified repairer, regardless of the initial place of purchase of the appliance. However, make sure that the appliance complies with European standards (CE marking) so that the repairer agrees to work on it safely.
This is a violation of Article L. 217-13 of the Code de la consommation. You must send them a formal notice (mise en demeure) by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt (lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception - LRAR) reminding them of their legal obligations. If the dispute persists, you can report the professional's behavior on the official SignalConso platform (managed by the DGCCRF, the French fraud control agency) or contact a consumer mediator (médiateur de la consommation).
No. For safety, traceability, and environmental compliance reasons, the Bonus Réparation is strictly reserved for interventions carried out by certified QualiRépar professionals. Spare parts purchased by individuals for self-repair are not eligible for this bonus.
The indice de réparabilité must obligatorily be displayed in stores (on the product label) and on online shopping websites, near the price. It is presented in the form of a colored pictogram (ranging from red to green) accompanied by a score out of 10. The higher the score, the easier the product is to dismantle and repair.
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Legal information for guidance only, not personalised legal advice. For your specific situation, ask your question free of charge on AvocatAI — answers based on French law, in your language.