Development of an approach for assessing the reparability and upgradability of Energy-related Products

Abstract The recent EU action plan for the Circular Economy highlighted the importance of improving the material efficiency of Energy-related Products (ErP) to reduce their environmental impacts. Desig***ning products that can be repaired and upgraded is fundamental to avoid their early replacement and save resources. The aim of this work is to present a comprehensive framework for assessing the reparability and upgradability of ErP at product group level, also taking Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) into account. The approach is based on the preliminary definition of priority parts and allows three levels of assessment: i) Qualitative, based on a checklist of positive conditions for reparability and upgradability; ii) Semi-quantitative, based on the characterization of product-specific parameters; iii) Quantitative, based on technical and environmental indices. The approach, integrating and complementing existing parameters and methods, can support the analysis of products from a life cycle perspective and the identification of design characteristics improving their reparability and upgradability.