PROMPT – Premature Obsolescence Multi-Stakeholder Product Testing Programme

setting line Policy & Cooperation    map search International/EU    tags line Making a difference together

computer monitor Go To Website

 

picture on top: Fraunhofer IZM

 

The term “premature obsolescence” describes the phenomenon that products cease to be used at a point in their lifetime which arrives too soon. Premature obsolescence can have technical and non-technical underlying reasons. From a technical point of view, flaws in the quality and design of a product can lead to low reliability and a lack of reparability. Non-technical reasons for premature obsolescence can be linked to factors such as technological progress, advertising and fashion, consumption patterns and trends, and status, among others.

The H2020 PROMPT project has the goal to establish an independent testing programme to assess the lifetime of consumer products when they are put on the market. The focus is on electrical and electronic products and in particular on smartphones, (smart) TVs, washing machines and televisions. The testing programme will cover major aspects related to longevity. It has the goal to enable testing bodies, consumer organisations, market surveillance authorities and other interested stakeholders to assess premature obsolescence. It will contribute to ongoing and future standardisation efforts and provide designers and policymakers with recommendations on improving durability and reparability of products, empower consumers to make informed choices, and create awareness on market conditions. The project runs from May 2019 to April 2023.

Video about the topic: Product Lifetimes and the environment – Plate Conference 2017

 

What is the mission of the project?

The main objective of PROMPT is to develop an independent testing programme to support the assessment of the longevity of consumer products when they are put on the market.

 

Where and when did the project start?

The kickoff meeting took place in May 2019 in Delft, Netherlands.

 

Where is the project offered today?

The project runs until 2023 and results will be available without geographical limits.

 

To whom is this project aimed? Who belongs to your target group?

The main target groups are testing bodies, consumer organisations, market surveillance authorities and other interested stakeholders that want to assess premature obsolescence.

Haendeloe03PROMPT Kick-off  |  picture: PROMPT

What do you consider to be the most innovative aspects of your concept?

Premature obsolescence is a complex phenomenon, since there might be technical and non-technical reasons for early product replacement. For this purpose, the PROMPT consortium takes a holistic approach through interdisciplinary and international multi-stakeholder collaboration. The consortium is accompanied by an independent Advisory Board.

 

What are the most important impacts of the project in terms of sustainability?

The results of the project can contribute to improve the durability (reliability and reparability) of electrical and electronic products put on the EU market. Extending the lifetime of products will contribute to less resource extraction and less waste generation.

Furthermore, more durable products can benefit consumers from an economic point of view and create local jobs (for example in the repair sector). The project is fully in line with the EU’s growth strategy (Green Deal) and the Circular Economy Action Plan.

 

Which aspects are particularly interesting from a design perspective?

Sustainability starts with design. Creating more reliable and reparable products is a design question that needs to take into consideration the entire value chain (form resource extraction to end of life). Within this value chain, consumers play a crucial role when it comes to durability. The initial design of a product should consider this aspect and help users to extend a product’s lifetime.

 

 03 PROMPT Battery Test Source Stiftung Warentest
PROMPT Battery Test  |  picture: Stiftung Warentest

Will there be any digital offers developed?

A web tool initially developed by Test Achats in Belgium was extended to four other EU countries (Spain, Portugal, France, Italy), allowing millions of consumers to signal their faulty products to the national consumer organisations. Since the web tools are structured in a similar way, it becomes for the first time possible to analyse and to compare the data between different EU countries and identify similarities, but also differences.

 

What are some interesting numbers about the project?

The consortium consists of 12 organisations from seven countries with more than 30 people actively involved in the project.

 

What happens next? What are your goals?

Having finalised most of the data collection part, the consortium will now start working actively on the creation of the testing programme from January 2021 onwards.

In parallel, work on reliability, reparability and market and user aspects continues, and will lead to deliverables on test results and specification for batteries and electronics as well as test results and specification mechanics. Furthermore, an interim report on the communication and dissemination activities will be prepared.

As of today, PROMPT already actively contributes to ongoing policy work on international (UNEP), European (DG GROW, DG JUST, DG CONNECT, etc.) and national level (ADEME, France).

PROMPT continues to be present at international conferences and will, for example, contribute to the next Product Lifetimes and the Environment (PLATE) conference in May 2021.

Video about the topic: Planned obsolescence taken to task in France

01 PROMPT Logo

 

 

  • Service | Estonia
    Bepco

    Bepco

    Circular transport packaging systems.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Germany
    Bits & Bäume

    Bits & Bäume

    The Movement for Digitalisation and Sustainability.
  • Service | Russia
    Bushe

    Bushe

    The eco-conscious chain of bakeries and pastry shops.
  • Service | Poland
    Chełpliwe Pudeła

    Chełpliwe Pudeła

    Vegan food delivery in reusable containers and bags.
  • Service | Germany
    circular.fashion

    circular.fashion

    A digital platform to ensure circularity in every step.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Finland
    CitiCAP

    CitiCAP

    Personal carbon trading on mobility.
  • Product | Germany
    Coboc

    Coboc

    Making pedelecs lighter and more attractive.
  • Product | Germany
    Engel Sports

    Engel Sports

    Functional sportswear that is sustainable in the value chain and in its entire life cycle.
  • Concept | Germany
    Everwave

    Everwave

    Floating platform that filters plastic and plastic particles from the water.
  • Service | International
    Fairbnb.coop

    Fairbnb.coop

    Community powered tourism.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Finland
    Finnish Roadmap to a Circular Economy 2016-2025

    Finnish Roadmap to a Circular Economy 2016-2025

    Leading the cycle.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Poland
    Gdynia Cargo Bikes

    Gdynia Cargo Bikes

    Cargo bikes are changing cities.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Germany
    German Ecodesign Award

    German Ecodesign Award

    Germany’s highest state award for ecological design.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Estonia
    Green Tiger

    Green Tiger

    The tiger leap to green economy.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Sweden
    Gröna Listan

    Gröna Listan

    The Green List for public procurement.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Sweden
    Händelö Eco-Industrial Park

    Händelö Eco-Industrial Park

    World-leading industrial symbiosis between industry and city through bio-based and circular economy.
  • Service | Germany
    kaputt.de

    kaputt.de

    Platform for repair solutions of electrical devices.
  • Service | Sweden
    Karma

    Karma

    Saving the world should be effortless. Save food with a tap of a button.
  • Service | Finland
    Lindström

    Lindström

    Caring about maintenance - a sustainable rental service for textiles.
  • Service | Sweden
    MoveByBike

    MoveByBike

    100% bike logistics.
  • Service | Norway
    Nimber

    Nimber

    Going your way, anyway.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Germany
    Nochmall

    Nochmall

    Getting Berliners excited about waste avoidance, reuse and upcycling.
  • Service | Russia
    Paketa net

    Paketa net

    Reducing the end-user’s ecological footprint.
  • Service | Russia
    Pokupay pravilno

    Pokupay pravilno

    The best packaging is none.
  • Policy & Cooperation | International
    PROMPT

    PROMPT

    An independent testing programme to support the assessment of the longevity of consumer products.
  • Service | Switzerland
    Pumpipumpe

    Pumpipumpe

    Sharing of everyday objects in the often anonymous urban neighbourhoods.
  • Product | Germany
    Pyua

    Pyua

    Functional outwear that is made of 100 percent recycled materials and can be reused.
  • Concept | Germany
    Radbahn

    Radbahn

    Building the first roofed cycle path along the U1 underground line in Berlin.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Poland
    Recycling Machines Warsaw

    Recycling Machines Warsaw

    Devices for selective waste collection that motivate inhabitants to change their habits and behaviour.
  • Service | Sweden
    Retuna

    Retuna

    The world’s first recycling mall.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Sweden
    Smarta Kartan

    Smarta Kartan

    Mapping of initiatives that promotes access over ownership.
  • Service | Germany
    Solarkiosk

    Solarkiosk

    E-Hubs as a promise for the future.
  • Service | Germany
    sonnenCommunity

    sonnenCommunity

    Households as the new centre of a clean energy system.
  • Policy & Cooperation | International
    SUSTAINORDIC

    SUSTAINORDIC

    A platform and network that aims to promote sustainable consumption and production (SDG12) based on a Nordic perspective.
  • Service | the Netherlands
    Swapfiets

    Swapfiets

    Bicycle as a service.
  • Service | Poland
    Swapp!

    Swapp!

    Fast moving consumer goods in closed loop system based on refilling stations.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Russia
    The Regions Sustainable Development Award

    The Regions Sustainable Development Award

    Help businesses gain financial support in regions of Russia.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Finland
    Think sustainably

    Think sustainably

    Make sustainable choices in Helsinki.
  • Service | Denmark
    Too Good To Go

    Too Good To Go

    An app to buy leftover food.
  • Service | Poland
    UrCup

    UrCup

    Reusable cups, plates, cutlery and mugs for caterers and event organisers.
  • Policy & Cooperation | Austria
    Vienna Repair Voucher

    Vienna Repair Voucher

    The Vienna Repair Voucher motivates people to give their products a second life.
  • Service | Austria
    wastebox.biz

    wastebox.biz

    Optimised and simplified construction site disposal
  • Service | Finland
    Whim

    Whim

    Mobility as a service.
  • Policy & Cooperation | UK
    Zero Waste Scotland

    Zero Waste Scotland

    Use products and resources responsibly.