Repairability: Lawnmowers in the green range at Gardena

On January 1, 2021, the French government introduced a mandatory “reparability index”, the indice de réparabilité, for a range of products. In addition to electronic devices such as smartphones and computers, this also includes washing machines and electric lawnmowers.

The index is intended to show consumers how easily and cheaply a device can be repaired. For this purpose, a numerical value from zero to ten is determined for each product, which is also represented by a color scale from red to green. A large number of criteria are included in the calculation, such as the effort required for a repair. In addition, the availability and prices of spare parts are also considered. The replacement part prices are set in relation to the purchase price of the entire device. The index value is determined by the manufacturers themselves using the official catalog of criteria. Incorrect information should be punished from next year. In addition, consumers must be informed about the availability of spare parts.

Following the legal requirements for France, Gardena has also determined the index values for repairability for the first time for its electric and cordless lawnmowers of the PowerMax model series and for the SILENO robotic lawnmowers. Depending on the model, these are between 6.5 and 8.4 on a scale of up to 10 – but in each case, within the green range. There is currently room for improvement, especially with regard to information.

Sustainability is a differentiating factor for brands

“The result is gratifying, but by no means surprising for us. Because a high repairability of our products has always been important to us. We keep tens of thousands of spare parts available at fair prices – even for models that are no longer in the current range. These can be ordered directly from the manufacturer at gardena.com,” emphasizes Thomas Sailer, responsible for Gardena's global customer service.
With the initiative, the French government wants to take on a pioneering role in Europe. Even if the repairability index is not valid Europe-wide, it does have a signal effect.

“From our point of view, the French initiative is to be welcomed, as it provides clear and comprehensible criteria for expanding the circular economy, which can be implemented in practice and give both consumers and manufacturers better orientation,” says Hede Marie Hauser. At Gardena, she is responsible for the “Sustainovate” sustainability program. In the current update of the program with the time horizon up to 2025, specific goals for expanding the circular economy are also defined.

“For brand manufacturers, innovation and quality are no longer the only decisive distinguishing features on the market. The sustainability of the products is increasingly moving into the focus of consumer expectations. There is potential here for differentiation from the competition. In addition, it sets the purchase price in relation to the entire life cycle of the product,” says Reinhard Pompe, who is responsible for product management and development at Gardena