The repair bonus: what is it and why is it talked about so much?
The repair bonus is like a lifeline for your electrical and electronic appliances. Thanks to it, you can have your gadgets repaired at a lower cost, while avoiding participating in the great waste. Basically, instead of throwing away your coffee machine or microwave as soon as they start to show signs of wear and tear, you can entrust them to a certified repairer and get a bonus to lighten the bill. The aim? To extend the lifespan of equipment, reduce waste and encourage thecircular economy.
💡 A little figure to shine in society*: In 2023, nearly 1.2 billion electrical and electronic appliances were put on the market in France, and many end up in the skip too soon!* So, should we start thinking about repairs?
How does it work in practice? 🛠️
A bonus deducted directly from your bill 💸
Let's face it, repairing a washing machine or a food processor can get pretty expensive. But with the repair bonus, the government has decided to give a financial boost. The bonus is automatically deducted from the repair bill, provided the appliance is repaired by a certified repairer. No complicated paperwork or interminable wait for a refund: it's simple, fast, and you see the reduction on the amount to be paid straight away. 🎉
The amount of the premium depends on the device. Here are a few concrete examples so you know what to expect:
- Washing machine: up to €30 discount
- Coffee machine: €15
- Vacuum cleaner: €20
- Television: up to €40, depending on screen size
- Microwave: €10
And that's not all! The bonus also covers household appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers, as well as electronic devices like smartphones and laptops.
What are the conditions for benefiting from the bonus?
To be sure of benefiting from the repair bonus, your appliance must be repairable and included in the list of eligible appliances. In 2024, the list of electrical and electronic equipment concerned is quite broad, covering hundreds of everyday products.
Among the criteria:
🍀 The device must have been purchased in France (eh yes, we need to support the local economy) 🍀 It must not be covered by a warranty or insurance 🍀 It must be taken care of by a labeled repairer. This label, "QualiRépar", guarantees that the technician is approved and complies with precise quality standards.
🧐 A little friendly advice: before rushing to the repairer, check that your appliance is on the list of eligible products. There's nothing more frustrating than discovering that your old fridge isn't part of the program.
Who is eligible? Eligible appliances in 2024
The repair bonus doesn't just apply to large appliances. Appliances like your food processor or coffee machine are also in the running for this repair bonus. Here are a few categories ofeligible equipment:
🍀 Household appliances: washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, ovens, fridges, even food processors 🍀 Electronic devices: smartphones, laptops, tablets, games consoles 🍀 Electrical equipment: vacuum cleaners, fans, air conditioners and coffee machines 🍀 And for the more stylish among us, even clothes and shoes are now covered, if you go through a textile repair specialist!
Basically, whether it's your trusty coffee machine that doesn't froth like it used to or your microwave that's decided not to run anymore, there's a good chance you'll qualify for the bonus.
A bonus at the heart of the ecological transition 🌍
It's not just about money. The repair bonus is an integral part of efforts for a circular economy and ecological transition in France. As we all know, our consumption ofelectrical and electronic equipment is a real drain on resources. Every year, tons of electronic waste pollute the planet, and refrigerants (used in fridges, among other things) are an environmental nightmare.
The idea behind this bonus is to encourage the French to repair rather than throw away, by lightening the bill and giving them access to qualified repairers. A small gesture that makes a big difference for the environment!
Expert opinion, France Nature Environnement: "Repairing preserves resources. Each repaired appliance saves raw materials and reduces waste."
How do you find a labelled repairer? 🔧
Now we come to the crux of the matter: how can you be sure that your repairer is labelled and that you'll be able to benefit from this bonus? Rest assured, it's quite simple. You can consult the list of approved repairers on the government website, or directly on the website of theeco-organization in charge of the repair bonus.
The "QualiRépar" label is there to guide you. It guarantees that the repairer follows strict rules and offers you a quality service, while respecting environmental standards. You can also ask your repairer directly before starting any work. And don't forget to check that the bonus has been applied to your invoice!
The 2024 repair bonus: between progress and challenges 🛠️
In an article published in January 2024, L'Humanité pointed out the limits of the repair bonus. In particular, it mentioned the fact that the bonus is not yet accessible everywhere, and that in some regions, "there is a cruel lack of approved repairers."
This is the case in Normandy, for example: at the end of 2023, this region had just 30 approved repairers, a figure far too low to meet everyone's needs. If you're from Normandy and your microwave breaks down, it's not easy to find a certified repairer...
And that's not all: according to Zero Waste France, the amount of the bonus remains insufficient to really change habits. Even with the increase in the super-bonus in 2024, which doubles the bonus on several items of equipment (such as washing machines and televisions), the final cost remains too high to massively encourage repair.
Admittedly, by December 2023, of the 30,000 repair sites listed in France, over 4,600 repairers had been awarded the QualiRépar label, according to the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe). Some 4,889 companies are currently in the certification process, with 2,165 applications submitted for approval. This figure is rising steadily, but the geographical distribution is very uneven.
According to the association Consommation, logement, cadre de vie (CLCV), each département has an average of 46 repair outlets, but there are considerable discrepancies between rural and urban areas.
Even the densely populated Ile-de-France region suffers from a low number of approved repair outlets.
In short, if you don't want to travel miles to repair your coffee machine or TV set, check the specialized directory: annuaire-qualirepar.ecosystem.eco, updated weekly to make it easier to find the nearest repairers.
Most-repaired appliances in 2023: The top three 🏆
In 2023, the three most-repaired electrical and electronic equipment in France are:
- Cell phones: 58,263 repairs
- Washing machines: 23,622 repairs
- Dishwashers: 22,209 repairs
These three appliances alone account for almost 66% of repairs carried out thanks to the repair bonus.
Built-in ovens, fridges/freezers and tumble dryers come in a close second. On the other hand, equipment such as drones, electric-assist bicycles and drills are lagging behind, with just 23 repairs carried out across the whole of France. Why so few? Simply because, for these products, repair is often not cost-effective. The cost can exceed that of a new appliance, which discourages repair.
What to do with non-repairable appliances? 🤔
Not all appliances are eligible for the repair bonus, or can simply not be repaired. In this case, there are several options available to you to avoid throwing this equipment in the garbage can:
♻️ Recycle: Eco-organizations such as Ecosystem or Ecologic offer recycling solutions, so you can drop off your non-repairable electrical or electronic products at dedicated collection points, available in stores or waste collection centers. According to Ecosystem, over 527,000 tonnes of electrical waste are processed each year in France.
♻️ Resell or donate: If your appliance can no longer be repaired, but contains components that are still in good condition, some platforms allow you to resell spare parts. Alternatively, associations can recover appliances for reconditioning or recycling.
♻️ Opting for reconditioned products: an ecological alternative. According to Ademe, the reconditioned market in France is set to grow by 15% by 2022, offering an economical and responsible option.
So, if your washing machine or food processor doesn't qualify for the repair bonus, recycle it or look for reconditioning solutions to extend its life cycle!
What did we learn from this article? 🛠️
✅ Repair rather than throw away your household appliances and electronics.
✅ Take advantage of a bonus of up to €40, deducted directly from your bill.
✅ Check that your appliance is eligible and that it is taken care of by a labeled repairer.
✅ Circular economy, ecological transition, and waste reduction: a small gesture with a big impact 🌍.
