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There is now a European standard for measuring how easy it is to repair stuff

de.ifixit.com

11–20 of 201 posts

Re: There is now a European standard for measuring how easy it is to repair stuff

#11
post #8

If anyone wishes to read it or similar European standards, each nation is required to sell it at a price proportional to the average wage, and hence the Estonian standards body is selling it[1] for €14, instead of the £204 the British standards institute wants. [1] https://www.evs.ee/en/evs-en-45554-2020

I know this is off topic but... As an European this is the first time I learn you need to pay to read EU standards. Anyone has any explanation why you need to pay for access to standards?

You don’t. This is not an European body, but a derived standard for Estonia. EU version at https://www.cenelec.eu/dyn/www/f?p=104:22:1562386624244501::....

Re: There is now a European standard for measuring how easy it is to repair stuff

#12
post #8

If anyone wishes to read it or similar European standards, each nation is required to sell it at a price proportional to the average wage, and hence the Estonian standards body is selling it[1] for €14, instead of the £204 the British standards institute wants. [1] https://www.evs.ee/en/evs-en-45554-2020

I know this is off topic but... As an European this is the first time I learn you need to pay to read EU standards. Anyone has any explanation why you need to pay for access to standards?

You need to pay to read ISO standards too.

Presumably it covers some of the costs involved in producing the standard.

Library Genesis (sister project to Sci-Hub) archives standards, but doesn't yet have this one.

Re: There is now a European standard for measuring how easy it is to repair stuff

#13
post #4

I hope it will finally force Apple to become more climate-friendly. Their scores in phone repairability are disappointigly low: https://www.ifixit.com/smartphone-repairability .

Every android phone in that page has a score lower or equal to all the iPhones. This has to be a joke, right? Example:

Galaxy S20 Ultra [3/10]: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+S20+Ultra+Tea...

iPhone 11 Pro Max [6/10]: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+11+Pro+Max+Teardown/1...

But sure, lets keep bashing Apple because that gives us all the internet kudos, am I right?

Re: There is now a European standard for measuring how easy it is to repair stuff

#14
I have a Fairphone [1], for which repairability was a major focus (the latest two models are the first smartphones to get a perfect 10 from iFixit, IIRC). At some point, it started having some issues. Likewise, a friend of mine who had one wanted a new phone as well.

By combining parts from mine and his phone, I now have a properly working phone again with very little effort. This is so important.

(That said, the reason I started having issues in the first place was because some connections didn't fit as tightly anymore. This is supposedly better with the latest model, whose screen you can no longer replace without tools, but needs a regular Philips screwdriver that actually comes with the phone. Less gimmicky on parties, but should be an improvement.)

[1] https://www.fairphone.com/

Re: There is now a European standard for measuring how easy it is to repair stuff

#15

Let's hope this catches on just like the energy labels did. After the EU forced manufacturers to improve energy use in their devices it soon improved situations for everyone on this planet. Many other countries follow EU regulations directly or indirectly so let's hope for some easily repairable products in the future!

> After the EU forced manufacturers to improve energy use in their devices it soon improved situations for everyone on this planet.

I don't know (talking as fairly pro-EU kind of person). I kind liked washing machines that properly heated to 90C and vacuum cleaners that actually picked up dirt. But the EU are only partly to blame. Companies are relentless in their pursuit of cutting production costs. Going "green" just excused their greed for a while. And these newer machines feature more plastic parts, are harder to repair and generally considered disposable (e.g. I'm happy that a dishwasher/washing machine/fridge lasts 5 years). How's that good for the planet?

Re: There is now a European standard for measuring how easy it is to repair stuff

#16
post #14

I have a Fairphone [1], for which repairability was a major focus (the latest two models are the first smartphones to get a perfect 10 from iFixit, IIRC). At some point, it started having some issues. Likewise, a friend of mine who had one wanted a new phone as well. By combining parts from mine and his phone, I now have a properly working phone again with very little effort. This is so important. (That said, the rea…

you left out some important information, and leaving me in thoughts..

"I now have a properly working phone again"

But what about your friend? What did he have to do to call you again, or you guys simply stopped calling each other? ;)

Re: There is now a European standard for measuring how easy it is to repair stuff

#17
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know this is off topic but... As an European this is the first time I learn you need to pay to read EU standards. Anyone has any explanation why you need to pay for access to standards?

You don’t. This is not an European body, but a derived standard for Estonia. EU version at https://www.cenelec.eu/dyn/www/f?p=104:22:1562386624244501::... .

That shows an empty table.

Re: There is now a European standard for measuring how easy it is to repair stuff

#18
post #4

I hope it will finally force Apple to become more climate-friendly. Their scores in phone repairability are disappointigly low: https://www.ifixit.com/smartphone-repairability .

Apple is surprisingly repearable and is a major factor driving device prices in the poorer countries.

There are shops everywhere that would fix your iPhone at very reasonable prices.

People expect to use the device for 3-5 five years since they pay multiple salaries to buy it in first place and pay it through the years.

If that’s not environmentally friendly, I don’t know what it is.

Re: There is now a European standard for measuring how easy it is to repair stuff

#19
post #6
post #4

I hope it will finally force Apple to become more climate-friendly. Their scores in phone repairability are disappointigly low: https://www.ifixit.com/smartphone-repairability .

As far as Apple is concerned, I believe that AirPods are a true tragedy[0]. If you try to recycle them, someone will have to separate the glued-in lithium-ion battery from the plastic. If you try to throw them away, you might start a fire in a garbage compactor facility. If they end up in a landfill, they'll be in earth's crust for thousands of years. That's before getting into how fast they become obsolete on their…

It's sad when technological advances go hand in hand with disadvantages for, basically, the planet. But it's especially so when it's (to some extent) avaoidable and definitely so when it gets executed by companies who have plenty of resources to not do it, yet don't care at all, and keep on producing things like this under the (mis)nomer of 'building a better future'. Despite knowing well enough what the effects are, and because they know it will be bought by the masses anyway.

Don't get me wrong: I'm well aware the problem is not exactly easy to solve, but if your answer is to just make it worse with every product release while you could at least attempt to make it better instead, then perhaps this CEO is indeed using the correct term for your (and others') behaviour.

Re: There is now a European standard for measuring how easy it is to repair stuff

#20
post #4

I hope it will finally force Apple to become more climate-friendly. Their scores in phone repairability are disappointigly low: https://www.ifixit.com/smartphone-repairability .

Every android phone in that page has a score lower or equal to all the iPhones. This has to be a joke, right? Example: Galaxy S20 Ultra [3/10]: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Samsung+Galaxy+S20+Ultra+Tea... iPhone 11 Pro Max [6/10]: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+11+Pro+Max+Teardown/1... But sure, lets keep bashing Apple because that gives us all the internet kudos, am I right?

That's a fine example of whataboutism. Look, others are doing the same bad thing, what's your problem?
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