Unlike the linear model, which produces, uses, and discards, the circular economy seeks to retain a product’s value within the economic system for as long as possible. The key to achieving this lies in what are known as Value Retention Processes (VRPs) — activities that extend a product’s service life beyond its expected duration. These include reuse, repair, refurbishment, and remanufacturing — strategies that reduce the extraction of natural resources, minimise waste and emissions, and generate economic and social value.

According to the UN International Resource Panel, this shift represents “a revolution in the way we produce and consume — a transition from resource-intensive production and consumption models towards efficient, low-carbon processes, where innovation is the driving force for change.”

Ecodesign for Conservation

Value retention begins at the design stage. It is at this point that decisions are made about whether a product will be durable, modular, repairable, or recyclable, and which materials will be used to enable reuse or refurbishment. Good design extends a product’s lifespan and reduces its environmental footprint from the outset.

However, retaining product value requires a broader perspective that goes beyond design. It means rethinking production and consumption systems, and implementing and scaling circular business models that enable value retention through predictive maintenance, remanufacturing, or product-as-a-service models, among others.

A classic example of a circular business model is servitisation — offering the use or functionality of a product as a service rather than selling it as a physical good. In this model, the manufacturer or provider remains the product owner and is responsible for its maintenance and end-of-life management.

The Right to Repair: A Paradigm Shift

To strengthen the repair market and reduce waste generated by the premature replacement of goods, the Right to Repair Directive (EU) 2024/1799 entered into force in July 2024. This directive requires manufacturers to repair their products free of charge or at an affordable cost, and to provide consumers with the tools and information necessary to repair them.

Manufacturers must offer repair services at fair prices, guarantee access to spare parts, and extend the warranty of repaired products by one additional year. The directive also calls for digital platforms to connect consumers with local repairers and bans practices that hinder repair, such as spare-part or software restrictions.

This directive responds to a growing public demand, particularly evident in Catalonia. According to the study Activating Repair Through Commerce, conducted by inèdit for the Catalan Consortium of Commerce, Crafts and Fashion (CCAM), 96% of respondents would like to find more repaired products on the market, and 80% would be willing to pay more for repairable items. Around 70% have carried out self-repair activities, and 60% have taken a product for repair in the past six months.

The French Example: The Repairability Index

For a product to be repaired, it must first be repairable. This depends not only on ecodesign, as mentioned earlier, but also on producer transparency. To address this, France introduced a mandatory Repairability Index in 2021, which must be displayed at the point of sale.

Rated on a scale from 1 to 10, the index informs consumers about how easy it is to repair a product. It applies to washing machines, smartphones, laptops, televisions, and electric lawnmowers, and is based on five criteria: availability of technical documentation, ease of disassembly, access to and cost of spare parts and tools, plus specific criteria depending on the product category.

Its goal is to encourage responsible consumption and promote eco-efficient design, aiming for a 60% repair rate. Early results are positive, suggesting it is an effective tool both for guiding consumers towards more repairable products and for motivating producers to integrate ecodesign principles into their offerings.

How inèdit Can Help

At inèdit, we have extensive experience in ecodesign for products and services and in developing circular business strategies. Explore our success stories to learn more about the projects we’ve worked on.