Establishment of a "Sustainability Label for repair-friendly constructed electr(on)ic household appliances (brown and white goods) as a shopping guideline for consumers"

Status

completed

Summary

Motivation

Experience by repair companies proves that electr(on)ic devices are increasingly designed and constructed in a way that makes repair hardly feasible.

Repair is an essential contribution to the minimization of the amount of waste and especially the reduction of hazardous waste. Guaranteeing the repair ability of appliances and safeguarding repair in the long run is therefore an important target.

Using the "Sustainability Label for repair-friendly constructed appliances" producers visibly indicate that a lot of know how was applied in the construction of their product and that it is easier to repair than other appliances on the market.

With this label directly displayed on a product, consumers are provided with credible information for their choice of new appliances. The credibility of the Sustainability Label is secured by a strict catalogue of criteria under constant revision by an independent organisation.

Targets and Contents

The present project pursued the target to motivate producers to have their appliances audited and certified. At the same time marketing and PR activities focussing on consumers should promote the demand for easy to repair products.

All the premises for the certification with the Sustainability Label - from the development of certification criteria to the training of auditors - had to be developed within the project period. Furthermore information activities for experts and consumers had to be planned and implemented.

Methodology

Existing knowledge and results gathered from repair companies within the RepairNetwork Vienna were compiled by the project team and in several working group meetings included into 2 ON-regulations.

In addition extensive inquiries into the market situation of producers and distributors of white and brown goods were made. In personal contact with representatives of these companies it was attempted to raise their interest in the Sustainability Label and to motivate at least one producer to apply for the labelling of one of his appliances.

Experts and consumers were and still are informed about the benefits of the Sustainability Label.

Results

Two ON regulations were developed and published.

Training for appliance auditors was designed and organised. Six auditors successfully completed the course.

Five appliances were audited and certified with the Sustainability Label. These were introduced to the public in a presentational event.

A folder for consumers and extensive information material for producers were produced and distributed in order to back PR activities.

Different websites and newsletters informed and still inform about state and content of the project.

Project management

DSA Georg Pirkner
"die umweltberatung"

DI Sabine Seidl
"die umweltberatung"

Project or cooperation partner

• DI Josef Winkler
  Österreichisches Normungsinstitut
• Ing. Norbert Hackl
  Reparaturen Hackl
• Sepp Eisenriegler MAS, Nebojsa Gizdavic
  R.U.S.Z - Reparatur- und Service-Zentrum
• Dr. Norbert Weiß
  Organisationsberatung - Coaching
• ARGE Abfallvermeidung

DI Sabine Seidl
Verband Wr. Volksbildung/"die umweltberatung" Wien/R.U.S.Z
Hollergasse 22, 1150 Wien
Tel.: +43 (1) 89174-0
Fax: +43 (1) 89174-65
E-Mail: sabine.seidl@umweltberatung.at