The repair bonus: what is it and why is there so much talk about it?
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 your microwave as soon as they show signs of fatigue, you entrust them to a repairer labeled and you get a bonus that lightens the bill. The aim?Extend the life of equipment, reduce waste and encourage the circular 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 let's 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 invoice, provided the appliance is taken care of by a repairer labeled. No complicated paperwork or endless waiting 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 or dishwashers, but also electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops.
What are the conditions for benefiting from this bonus?
To be sure of benefiting from the repair bonus, your appliance must be repairable and part of the list of eligible appliances. In 2024, the list of electrical and electronic equipment concerned is quite extensive, 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 guarantee or a insurance. 🍀 It must be taken care of by a repairer labeled. 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 can benefit? Eligible appliances in 2024
The repair bonus doesn't just apply to major household appliances. ** appliances** like your food processor or your coffee machine are also in the running for this repair bonus. Here are a few categories ofeligible equipment:
🍀 Home appliances: washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, ovens, fridges, and 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 clothing and shoes are now affected, 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 has decided not to turn anymore, there's a good chance you can benefit from bonus.
A bonus at the heart of the ecological transition 🌍
It's not just about money. The bonus réparation is an integral part of efforts for a circular economy and the 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 therefore to encourage the French to repair rather than throw away, by lightening the weight of the bill and giving them access to qualified repairers. A small gesture that makes a big difference for the environment!
The expert's opinion, France Nature Environnement: "Repairing preserves resources. Each repaired appliance saves raw materials and reduces waste."
How can I find a certified repairer? 🔧
Here we come to the crux of the matter: how can you be sure that your repairer has the label and that you will be able to benefit from this bonus? Rest assured, it's quite simple. You can consult the list of certified repairers on the government website or directly on the website of theeco-organisation in charge of the bonus réparation.
The "QualiRépar" label is there to guide you. It guarantees that the repairer follows strict rules and offers you a quality service, while complying with 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 repairers with the label."
This is the case of 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 have a microwave broken down, it's not easy to find a repairer with thelabel...
And that's not all: according to Zero Waste France, the bonus amount remains insufficient to really change habits. Even with the increase in the superbonus in 2024, which doubles the bonus on several equipment (such as the washing machines and televisions), the final cost remains too high to massively encourage repair.
Certainly, in December 2023, of the 30,000 repair sites listed in France, more than 4,600 repairers were labeled QualiRépar, according to the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe). Some 4,889 companies are currently in the labeling process, with 2,165 dossiers submitted for approval, and 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 your television, consult the specialized directory regularly: annuaire-qualirepar.ecosystem.eco, updated every week to make it easier to find the nearest repairers.
The most repaired appliances in 2023: The top three 🏆
In 2023, the three most repaired electrical and electronic appliances in France are:
- Mobile phones: 58,263 repairs
- Washing machines: 23,622 repairs
- Dishwashers: 22,209 repairs
These three appliances alone account for almost 66% of the interventions carried out thanks to bonus réparation.
The built-in ovens, refrigerators/freezers and tumble dryers come just after this top trio. By contrast, some equipment, such as drones, electric-assist bicycles and drills, lag behind with just 23 cumulative repairs throughout France. Why so few? Simply because, for these products, the repair is often not cost-effective. The cost can exceed that of a new device, which discourages repair.
What to do with non-repairable devices? 🤔
All appliances are not always eligible for the repair bonus, or simply cannot be repaired. In this case, there are several options available to you to avoid throwing these equipment in the garbage can:
♻️ Recycle: The eco-organisations like Ecosystem or Ecologic offer recycling solutions. Drop off your non-repairable electrical or electronic products at dedicated collection points, available in stores or drop-off centers. According to Ecosystem, more than 527,000 tonnes of electrical waste are processed each year in France.
♻️ Resell or donate: If your appliance is no longer repairable but still contains components in good condition, some platforms enable you to resell spare parts. Alternatively, associations recover appliances for reconditioning or recycling certain parts.
♻️ Opting for reconditioned: An ecological alternative. According to Ademe, the refurbished market has grown by 15% in 2022 in France, offering an economical and responsible option.
So, if your washing machine or your food processor can't benefit from the repair bonus, recycle it or look for refurbishing solutions to extend its life cycle!
What do we take away from this article? 🛠️
✅ Repair rather than throw away your household appliances and electronics.
✅ Take advantage of a bonus of up to €40, directly deducted from your invoice.
✅ Check that your appliance is eligible and that it is taken care of by a repairer labeled.
✅ Circular economy, ecological transition, and reduction of waste: a small gesture that has a big impact 🌍.
