Groupe SEB has become the first small domestic appliance manufacturer to launch a 10-year repairability programme in the UK.
The group, which owns brands Tefal, Rowenta, Moulinex and Krups, hopes to offer easy repair for 95 per cent of its product range for 10 years or more.
According to research from the Waste and Resources Action Program (Wrap) an estimated 1.4 million tonnes of electrical waste is thrown away in the UK each year. Around half of this is recycled, a third sent to landfill and only seven per cent reused.
Groupe SEB has so far invested £2m in the programme, which is supported by the ‘Repairable Product 10 Years’ logo, making it easy for customers to identify the product.
The repair process is simple, owners bring their broken products to their local repair shop or send by post. Repairs take three to five days depending on the parts required.
Seven repair centres currently exist in the UK and two in Ireland, with 6,500 existing worldwide. There are also 14 specialised drop-off points in the UK, with more available in major retailers such as Currys.
Groupe SEB said it has made the longevity of its product a priority since 2008.
The cost of replacement parts has reduced by 30 per cent since 2012 in order to guarantee that prices of a repair remain favourable compared with replacement.
The company has also dedicated a former factory in the east of France to storing and delivering all spare parts in Europe. Half of the stock stored there has been produced 12 to 15 years in advance of the need, for products that are no longer manufactured.
Alain Pautrot (pictured), Groupe SEB vice-president of consumer satisfaction, said: “Ensuring that our products have a long lifespan has been a part of our corporate vision for years, and we are very happy to now bring 10 Year Repairability to the UK.
“A recent Wrap survey showed that 80 per cent of consumers want a minimum two-year guarantee – so I think 10 Year Repairability will give them a great deal of reassurance in the product and will improve the purchase decision. Our primary aim is to reduce the number of small domestic appliances going to landfill, which in turn allows our customers to fulfil their desire to be more environmentally friendly.”
