Jean-Paul Ventère shares his government role in France’s repairability index and the Right To Repair mandates in France. Jean-Paul was responsible for the labeling of eco products and their life cycle assessments. Today France leads the way in the promotion of repairability, which in turn contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Legislation in France mandates companies to display information to consumers, thus paving the way so that they can choose repairable, reliable and more robust products. Jean-Paul shares the right to repair legislation in France and his role in moving eco-design forward.

thank you so much for listening to all of these amazing and exceptional, positive imprints.

I'm Catherine, your host for the podcast, Your Positive Imprint, the variety show, featuring people all over the world whose positive actions are inspiring positive achievements.

Exceptional people rise to the challenge.

Music by the talented Chris Nole., ChrisNole.com.

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What's your PI.

How many times have you replaced your smartphone?

You know, those are things.

Those are questions that when I started this podcast, I wasn't really asking myself.

And then when I started this podcast and learning so much about planned obsolescence and the right to repair and.

I mean, there was so much to educate ourselves on and to do research on and to learn more about what is at stake for our environment and for mankind as we move forward.

Right.

So when we have our cell phones or smartphones, it's hard to know how long it's actually going to last, or even if we can fix it when it goes bad.

And that goes for even our wifi systems, the routers.

So my uncle who lives over in Wisconsin had low uncle Jim.

Anyway, he has an old smartphone and he has no desire to replace it.

Why should he spend money?

His works perfectly fine for what he uses it for.

Well, recently, as we know the

uh, 3g and 4g and 5g are changing all around the world and his router, his wifi no longer works with his equipment.

And they told him when he called to get help they told him you need to buy a new smartphone so that it will.

Uh, be compatible with the router.

Well, he wasn't going to do that.

And then his desktop started failing to connect to wifi and they told him you need to get a new desktop.

Your desktop is too old.

So my uncle did get his old router back.

And he's just not going to have uh, the great coverage that other people have because they have upgraded.

And my uncle there and my aunt, there is no need for them to upgrade because what they have works for what they do.

But we are living in an era of planned obsolescence.

But guess what?

My guest today, Jean-Paul Ventere is going to share how that is changing because France started a repairability index and it's based on a range of criteria,

Technical documents, the, uh, CO2 non emissions.

I mean, it goes on and on and on.

It's great.

So.

There's a lot to learn about Right To Repair, planned obsolescence.

And the right to repair movement, I think is starting to move things in the right direction so that consumers can make decisions on the products that we buy.

And now back to the introduction of my guest, Jean-Paul Ventère shares his government role in France's repairability index and the right to repair mandates in France.

Jean-Paul was responsible for the labeling of eco products and their life cycle assessments.

And he'll explain more on that.

Today, France does lead the way in the promotion of repairability, which in turn contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

So important.

Jean-Paul will explain all of that and the right to repair legislation in France and his role in moving eco design forward.

Jean-Paul, thank you so much for being here on the show.

Well, welcome.

Oh my goodness.

So I wanna, , start out with, with just first France.

What is it like in France and where are you in France?

Well, I live near Paris.

Uh, it's not the suburb.

It's a 20 kilometers away from Paris.

live in a residence with much, many trees,

gathering sounds are

busy all

year round

very busy.

"La Celle Saint- Cloud"

oh, my goodness.

goodness.

Well, and you too are busy all year round and you have been busy for, 40 years almost.

And you are retired.

But for your entire working life, you have been putting forth your positive imprints for the future of the planet.

And I would love for you to explain to listeners the make up of your ministry there in France

first of all.

Well in France, we have a big ministry for the environment, covering many aspects.

Energy, materials, uh, construction, whatever and myself I was specialized on c economy.

And for the longest part of my career about eco-design of products.

In fact, uh, I was officially in charge of not eco co-design eco products can you believe concept was not yet invented speaking of eco design, we spoke about eco products.

I was in charge since 1989.

Wow.

And so we're looking at the eco products.

And in, in what aspect are you talking about in development or legislation?

What was it that was your part back then?

Yeah, that's a very interesting question.

Uh, the thing is it was voluntary, and, uh, let's say even if my colleagues will not appreciate what they say.

Uh, we have been preaching like in the desert for 30 years.

It was voluntary so I was in charge of official labeling and methodology sophisticated methodology, like life cycle assessments, but it's only lately that

eco design became mandatory a very special aspects, which is repairability..

repairability?

being mandatory.

Do you have legislation now in France

because France you're one of the leading countries if I'm not mistaken in repairability or right to repair products,

I hope so.

I would agree.

Yes, we are we are considered as a front runner

considering the legislation aspects and.

During the three last years of my career, I've been working on the repairability index that is from the summer, uh, 2018, uh, and three years later, um, it's, it's enforced.

The legislation is in place since more than one year the producer, uh, selling products in France,

. I mean, wherever they produce it for in the world, they have to calculate this a mandatory repairability index and the retailers, they have to inform the consumer they buy some, anything you see?

So this is a transparency to help us how easy or how difficult it is to dismantle the product, to find spare pieces, spare parts, to replace in case

It's not working and the consumer is supposed to make the choice to easily repairable products.

Wow.

So you've already had that legislation.

how do consumers feel about it out there?

Have they been supporting this for a long time and asking for it?

Well, it's difficult.

Honestly, it's difficult to, to give description of the state of mind.

The thing is that they are very interested.

they are following this.

There have been polls and queries showing more than 75%, I think it's 83% say that they say that they would, forget about their favorite trademark, you know, and choose choose a more easily repairable product.

It's in place one year and they say they receive it with great interest.

Yes.

And the corporate level.

the producers of these products, Are they happy to oblige?

Yes, there is a big variety of attitudes among producers.

are surprised, completely surprised.

And after a time over they say, okay, we will we make this a, an opportunity, we want to be the best in the world, in this new direction, repairability but this is a minority.

Between the two or three world One is playing like that let's be the best.

So don't, don't underestimate this movement, but the majority, they are disturbed.

They are, they would like to stop the process.

And, uh, they come to me sometimes with this double a double plan, what we learn, because now as I'm retired, I explain the majority and I try to help producers to anticipate et

Yeah,

so, and you, you mentioned something when we were chatting earlier about the, CO2 non emissions, which wow.

we're talking some toxins, what do you mean by the CO2 non emissions and what types of products are you talking about?

Okay, good question.

I hope I hope your listeners are, uh, still awake because these.

are new, not completely new ideas, but we have new studies proving that to keep an electrical or electronic product as As long as you can is the best

Why?

Because to produce these devices, you need so many materials to transform them, et cetera.

That the main impact more than the main impact 75% of the impacts they accrue while you are producing these devices.

It's much more important that you use it, or even when you close to the end of life, whatever for recycling.

So.

Keep it, as long as you can is better than to buy a new one.

So in fact, the difference between the choices, makes it that, you avoid new emissions by keeping your device

It absolutely makes sense with the CO2 emissions.

So do you, in France when you're talking about, even if it's the methodology or you're talking about mandates, out there, do you.

hear from, or need to deal with say American companies of electronics, because it will impact their sales in France.

So do you need to work with any of them?

Are there groups out there that represent some of the big name companies that are based in United States?

Like for smartphones, especially.

Well, the big one is already suffering and changing his strategy.

Apple is changing its strategy.

So people in France, some analysts, they think that partly it's because of the French, uh, regulation, but you know, there is this movement and the

So it's, it's complicated, but to design products so that they are easily, repairable will be the simplest step.

The first step is, will they be more open to provide spare parts to independent repairers or even

consumers themselves to repair the device?

So Apple has changed its strategy.

It means it's a trend.

France is the leader for this legislation.

But it's a trend in the world.

I'm guessing that the rest of Europe is going to implement this type of legislation and mandatory more in line with France

I'm a consumer.

I bought it, I own it.

I want to repair it.

But now we're also hearing the CO2 non emissions, hopefully these companies, as you say, they're changing their strategy.

They're hopefully going change in the upcoming future.

Yeah, well, to avoid emissions for the future is a consequence of good consequence.

It's a profitable consequence of, uh, repairing and also refurbishing.

The legislation in France is original.

Uh, it says only describe yourself, it's a transparency obligation, and it implies that the consumer will make the right choice

let's say.

We will act accordingly when purchasing or not purchasing a new product.

So CO2, non emissions is a consequence and, To come back to the subject matter there are many criteria to assess the repairability of a product

Anyway, the European commission will come out this year

with a similar legislation that is a mandatory repairability index in full transparency and we hope in full honesty, you are describe yourself and to describe the promises in

I don't know, in English assist us at this task.

So the European commission will imitate this legislation, but it will be, reduced first for smartphones and tablets.

This is where I say it's a trend in the world.

France is a leader and say, Europe will follow and I don't know how they take the, these, this issue in the United States in Canada and Australia, they are working in this direction of

let's open the possibilities to repair, but I don't know how they will make it.

Right, right.

Well, we have, I fix it.

Uh, which is a movement.

And of course you mentioned the president of the United States has been pushing forward with right to repair and mandates.

So I think that things are moving in a direction that is positive for our planet, but, and I, and I want to mention the orangutans because that hasn't been mentioned, I know

And I also look at with the making of a new iPhone over and over again.

Or not just iPhone, I don't want to just parcel out that one, but smartphones in general and electronics, that habitat of Orangutang is being destroyed in order to make these, so that for me comes into play.

Has there been any discussion in France or in Europe about the loss of wildlife due to the making of these electronics?

Yes.

Yeah.

I don't know how to translate in English.

Um, it's correct.

I mean, it's completely true, but the thing is that about biodiversity, there are not so many sorted indicators, the methodology is incredibly complicated.

So the problem exists, but there are not so many instruments to measure the problem.

So frankly, speaking

we have been working and now personally, I'm promoting designed for repairability.

There will be many benefits, not only for the planet.

I am a bit disappointed now for the future of mankind.

I mean, we've floods, we've fires and even with simply the temperature, people will die from it when they will be working outside.

I mean, anywhere in the world, in the United States, in, uh, in the Arabic countries or in Indonesia, or, I mean, the temperature will not be the human being will not tolerate such increase in temperature.

So it's the future of mankind and not only the planet.

So the future of mankind would certainly include everything that we do live with, and that is, wildlife and habitat.

So design for the future of mankind.

I think that that is just hearing the word mankind that really puts a, a visual, I think, and I hope that the producers of these products understand that their pockets today are

this alone is extremely interesting and important and people need to be aware of it.

How do you see since, since France has already started this and moving forward, what is the next step for France at this time?

Well, the next step is already written in the law, it's a c economy law from the 10th of February two years ago, 2020.

And it's already written that this repairability index will be transformed into the durability index.

It means new dimensions will be added.

Repairability will still remain, but there will be reliability.

And robustness.

and availability so this index will get richer if you like.

But personally, I like it simple and tangible.

I like the repairability aspect.

And the question for the businesses, is, uh, especially in a dynamic nation, like the United States of America.

I mean, how long will it take before people will think in terms of frugality, I mean, your podcast is for positive imprint, but the question is about less negative.

What will be the future of humanity regarding the climate crisis?

My guess, and there is a lot of reasoning behind this; analytics, et cetera, sociology, whatever.

My guess is that in 2050 that is 30 years from now humanity will be in a panic.

It will be.

Humanity will be in a panic.

So positive imprint is more about less negatives.

My goal is when people listen is hopefully to get inspired by people like you to engage their positive imprint into activities.

Imprints are going to be left forever and ever whether they're positive or negative, there'll be there forever.

And.

If we want to negate the negative, then we need to simply really work on the positive.

One of my observations is that people, I think people know about the problems.

I think, well, for me, I think the world is in a panic state now.

Uh, when we look at global warming and climate change, I'm panicked.

I don't want to lose the polar bears.

Uh, I don't want to lose the ice any more than what we're losing.

My observation is that people don't want to get involved until there's either, one legislation from their government that says you have to do this.

And then they're, oh my gosh, we need to do something.

And number two, a lot of people won't get involved because they may not know how, or they may think that, is just a trend.

It'll go away.

But the legislation part is something that I've observed.

People weren't wanting to really recycle until suddenly now it's, if you have too much trash, you're going to be, charged extra.

Okay.

So now people go out and they get their recycling bin so that they can lower their trash.

I just think that more engagement and certainly the work that you've been doing is inspiring and hopefully other people around the world when they hear this will say, we need that.

Let's step up.

Okay.

I agree perfectly

Yeah.

The legislation will make the uh, the legislation will be passed.

It's some kind of some sometime some form of acceptance.

Yes.

And something that you also said that I found very important is just the fact that you are in eco design and just talking about things and moving forward so that the design of the product is going to be long lasting

And I think the rest of the world I just had on, a few weeks ago, , three people from Australia talking about their legislation, talking about their movement moving forward, and they, two of them.

Sit on the committee there in Australia it's not the ministry, but

Yeah, I know them.

They are called Karen and Dan.

Yeah, there you go.

Awesome people.

And they were joined by Leanne Wiseman who

understands the

her.

I know how to,

okay, well, so she talked about the legal aspects worldwide.

unless there's already legislation like in France.

So obviously in France, it's going to impact the companies a little bit differently because you already have things set in place.

And now this year, When, is the European commission going?

You said this year?

Yes.

Well, you're probably watching that very carefully.

yeah, I can guess they're thinking it's just logical all the way.

There will be requirements.

You see, there, wouldn't be this mandatory repairability European index, but there will be more decided there would be requirements trying to grasp the,

I prefer to say longevity rather than durability because in France you have these two meaning a long lifetime or sustainable.

So long lasting products.

So, yes, there will be progress and positive impact in Europe soon.

Well, We're certainly going to look forward to that and the world will be watching and listening and hopefully then practicing what is being done out there with

And as you say, Saving mankind for future.

I have been eco planning companies to anticipate, to, to, to make a simulation, to, to understand the methodology.

This is also, it belongs to the same feeling, a feeling urgency.

Yes, you've been inspiring, but I always ask for those last inspiring words

well, uh, we don't live in a virtual world,

so let us expect tangible progress.

Well, Jean-Paul, your tangible progress

has certainly uh, put in motion, some wonderful legislation for France and upcoming European commission.

And I thank you so much for your work that you've done for design for eco products and moving forward with saving the planet in many different ways with the right to repair.

Thank you so much, Jean-Paul for being here on your positive imprint.

Thank you very much also

Yeah.

and Bravo for your work.

Uh, well, thank you so much.

And likewise.

There's lots of websites out there to learn more information on Jean-Paul's work.

But here are some of them to help you out.

repair.eu.

NextCity.org.

grist.org and that's G R I S T.

And then theenergymix.com.

And don't forget to follow, subscribe, or download this podcast.

Your positive imprint.