France has taken a bold step by making planned obsolescence a criminal offense โ meaning companies can now be punished for intentionally designing products to wear out early.
If manufacturers deliberately create electronics or appliances that fail sooner than they should- whether through weak hardware, software updates that slow devices, or other built-in limitations, they can face serious consequences. Penalties include up to two years in prison and fines of โฌ300,000, or as much as 5% of a companyโs annual revenue in major cases.
The law grew out of Franceโs consumer-protection efforts and was strengthened after investigations into phone slowdowns revealed how software could be used to push people into buying replacements.
But this isnโt just about punishment. Itโs part of Franceโs wider โright to repairโ movement, which aims to reduce electronic waste, stop hidden forced upgrades, and encourage companies to make products that last longer and can be repaired more easily.
By cracking down on disposable-by-design goods, France is sending a strong signal to manufacturers worldwide: build products to last. The goal is a more sustainable system where items are repaired instead of replaced helping both consumers and the planet.
Not Again @SakajaJohnson. Uhuru Park & Central Park are public property. We will not watch as you privatize the only remaining green spaces in Nairobi. See you back in court on 10.12.24 for the hearing of the ongoing petition about these two parks. #FreeUhuruPark#FreeCentralPark
Having visited the storeyed markets constructed by the NMS (in Kariakor, Kangundo Road, Ngong & Githurai), I realized that they're mostly empty, and so here, I write to the County Planners to conduct Sociology studies before embarking on another project.
https://t.co/YrkrGARl4i
How much of Nairobi's state of affairs are you privy to? Vincent talks to us about #urbanaffairs, the #environment and transparent #governance. Have a listen
๐งโถ๏ธ https://t.co/N1eiD8NmwJ
@vn6@rudeempath
SOLUTIONS ONLY [failures also] at #RISEAfrica2024 Action Festival offers a wealth of diverse sessions:
๐ฝfood markets๐just transitionโป๏ธcircular economy๐futures methodology๐ฃ๏ธhuman centred design๐ฑnature based solutions & more! Don't miss out: https://t.co/3sAbrksQ7o