Belgium is taking proactive measures to address environmental challenges by introducing ambitious legislation on repairability and durability indices. This new regulation, set to take effect in May 2025, marks a significant step towards more responsible consumption and a sustainable market.
The law will come into effect in May 2025, with an initial phase free of immediate penalties to ensure a smooth transition. Manufacturers and importers will be required to start calculating and displaying these indices from April 2025, but sanctions will only be applied starting in October 2025 for producers/importers and October 2026 for retailers. The legislation covers a wide range of products, including washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, pressure washers, lawn mowers, televisions, laptops, bicycles, and scooters.
Producers and importers are obligated to calculate these indices and communicate them to sellers, who in turn must inform consumers. This requirement ensures that the repairability and durability index of each product is visible and understandable for buyers, enabling more informed consumption choices.
The criteria for repairability and durability include documentation, disassembly and necessary tools, availability of spare parts, and the price of spare parts. A durability index, based on the reliability and robustness of products, will complement the repairability index.
This legislation will encourage manufacturers to design more durable and repairable products, potentially significantly increasing the lifespan of bicycles. Currently, the lifespan of a bicycle varies widely depending on maintenance and usage.
On average, a bicycle may require major interventions for parts such as bearings or transmissions after 5 to 10 years of regular use, which often corresponds to around 5000 to 10000 km traveled. These interventions include replacing chains, cassettes, and sometimes sprockets and chainrings, which are all components affected by mechanical wear. Brakes, cables, and tires may also need periodic replacements based on wear rather than a fixed duration.
The new regulation could thus allow bicycles to remain functional and economical to maintain over a longer period, reducing the frequency of complete bicycle replacements and promoting waste reduction. This would not only encourage greener consumption but also make cycling a more attractive and viable long-term option for more people who might otherwise be deterred by the maintenance required.
Electric bicycles, which will also be subject to the new regulation, will need to incorporate more durable batteries. Currently, the lifespan of lithium batteries for electric bikes is about 3 to 5 years, requiring replacement after approximately 500 to 1000 recharge cycles. Beyond lithium-ion, other technologies like lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries offer advantages such as greater durability and better thermal stability, which could be better suited to future durability requirements. This regulation could accelerate the development of these alternative technologies.
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