François Gagnon, CEO, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), co-author
Despite major scientific and technological advances in recent decades, many of today’s mass-produced consumer goods have shorter lifespans than the equivalent products of our parents’ and grandparents’ generations. Some manufacturers are suspected of purposely shortening the lifespans of their products to force consumers to buy cheaper replacements of lesser quality. Many of today’s devices are welded shut, so opening them to effect repairs—or even just to replace the battery—is next to impossible. New product models featuring only incremental improvements are quickly introduced, giving early adopters the impression that the otherwise functional product they own is already out-of-date and must be replaced. Too many devices are prematurely sent to the trash heap.
Programmed obsolescence—also known as planned obsolescence—is a linear economic model that undermines the development and adoption of a more circular and sustainable economic model. It has the perverse effect of negatively impacting both the environment and society at large. In 2019, 53.6 million tons of electronic waste were generated globally—only 17.4% of which was recycled. The pollution of our ecosystems, the indebtedness of Canadian households and the difficult living conditions in developing countries are some of the more visible indirect consequences of programmed obsolescence.
Legislation in action
We call upon all levels of government to combat planned obsolescence, which is endangering our environment. Legislators should require manufacturers to provide spare parts and make their products repairable.
Several European governments have already passed laws to this effect. In 2015, France introduced the offense of programmed obsolescence into the French Consumer Code. Several other EU member states have addressed product waste or repairability.
In Canada, these issues have begun to take on greater prominence:
• In April 2019, Bill 197, An Act to amend the Consumer Protection Act to fight planned obsolescence and assert the right to repair goods was introduced in the Quebec National Assembly by Independent Member Guy Ouellette. Ultimately, the bill was not debated.
• In February 2019, Ontario Liberal Member of the Provincial Parliament Michael Coteau introduced a proposed amendment to the Consumer Protection Act, entitled “Right to Repair Electronic Products”, but the Ontario legislature voted down the bill.
• To date, the federal government has also not passed a law to tackle planned obsolescence. In February 2021, Liberal Member of Parliament Bryan May introduced a Right to Repair Private Member’s Bill (C-272), targeting the digital lock provisions in Canada’s Copyright Act. Digital locks usually come in the form of technical restrictions that lock out users from accessing device firmware.
• Bill C-272 passed second reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology with an overwhelming 330 votes in favour. Unfortunately, the bill did not have time to receive Royal Assent prior to the September 2021 elections.
• Fortunately, a similar private member’s bill, known as Bill C-244, was brought forward by Liberal MP Wilson Miao in February 2022.
The short lifespans of today’s consumer goods pose enormous challenges in terms of natural resource utilization and waste management. Enhanced environmental laws would provide a valuable complement to consumer protection law initiatives and significantly increase their effectiveness.
Investing in research and innovation for a better future
While the measures we adopt will necessarily include regulatory aspects, the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy—one that is more respectful of the environment and conforms to today’s consumer values—will not occur without parallel economic incentives; in particular, increased targeted funding for technological innovations to ensure a transition that is beneficial to consumers, respectful of the environment, and profitable for business. Research and development will unquestionably take prominence, with universities playing a fundamental role—in training future engineers, encouraging interdisciplinary research between engineering, business management, political science and social science, and conducting joint research with industry to define the “circular engineering” processes of the future.
Annie Levasseur, Scientific Director of Centre for Intersectoral Studies and Research on the Circular Economy (CERIEC), co-author
Governments and universities are active players in this new industrial revolution. They must immediately improve their collaboration. Governments must increase financing of university research. This will lead to practical innovations, helping companies shift their business models towards the ecological design of more durable products, while increasing their responsibility towards the end-of-life of products and introducing more circularity into their operations.
To efficiently counteract planned obsolescence, we must adopt a systemic approach combining regulatory constraints, economic incentives, and partnerships to encourage researchers to design, and manufacturers to produce, increasingly durable goods—for the benefit of our environment and the future generations who will inhabit it.
