Obsolescence

Particularly in our high-tech society, the lifespan of many products and devices is becoming increasingly shorter. In technical terms, this is referred to as obsolescence. The phenomenon of product aging can have various causes. The article explains what these are and what the much-discussed planned obsolescence is all about.

What is obsolescence?

The term obsolescence comes from Latin and means "to wear out", "to grow old". What is meant is product aging and products becoming unusable. Alternatively, products can become obsolete, i.e. they no longer fulfill their purpose (completely) or certain functions become weaker.

The reasons for obsolescence are of various kinds and can be of natural or artificial origin. The most important distinguishing criterion here is whether either the service life or the useful life ends. The different types of obsolescence are often uncleanly separated or mixed.

Does planned obsolescence really exist?

The term planned obsolescence refers to a manufacturer’s planned, prematurely induced reduction in product life or product useful life. Planned obsolescence is very difficult to prove because it is almost never admitted by manufacturers.

Planned obsolescence is the phenomenon of a product losing its functionality before the expected natural ageing period. On the other hand, planned obsolescence can manifest itself in the fact that the introduction of a new product – for example, a new technology – means that a product that is still in working order no longer meets the user’s expectations. The product purchased first is therefore replaced with a new one more quickly than would actually be necessary.

When it comes to planned obsolescence, more difficult repair options due to a special design, lack of information or pricing also play a role. The aim of manufacturers is to boost sales. To do this, they use retail strategies and methods, after-sales, and political measures. Prominent examples of planned obsolescence that have been promoted by politics are often cited, for example, the scrappage bonus and the ban on light bulbs.

Planned obsolescence can be divided into several subcategories:

  • Functional obsolescence: In this case, the product remains functional but can no longer be fully used due to new requirements. This type of obsolescence is encountered primarily in rapidly changing industries such as IT – for example, when there is no longer a driver in a new operating system version for existing devices.
  • Economic obsolescence: This type of obsolescence occurs when a product could still be repaired, but the repair is not economically worthwhile. This is the case, for example, with washing machines, where the high repair costs lead to a total economic loss. The causes lie in the design, low-quality materials, expensively traded industrial spare parts, and the need for special tools or repair services.

What are the types of obsolescence?

Analyses show that there are different types of obsolescence that interact with each other in complex ways:

  • Material obsolescence: The wear and tear of individual components or materials renders the product unusable. This is the case, for example, when the permanently installed battery loses storage capacity.

  • Functional obsolescence: The product itself still functions, but is no longer up to current requirements due to technical progress. For example, the interfaces for hardware and software may no longer be compatible. A prominent example of this is the company Microsoft, which no longer supported its XP operating system, which meant that millions of functioning computers were no longer state of the art.

  • Psychological obsolescence: This type of obsolescence occurs when consumers replace functional products because they are no longer up to date in terms of technology or appearance, or because the newer model promises additional benefits. Particularly rapid change is evident here, especially in consumer electronics (game consoles, televisions).

  • Economic obsolescence: The product could still be repaired, but the repair costs are so high that a new purchase is more economical.

Of course, every device is subject to a certain obsolescence, as it loses material and usage quality over time due to aging. This is referred to as natural obsolescence. How quickly this natural aging progresses depends on the product and its stability and robustness. However, the type and situation of use – i.e. the respective user – is also an influencing factor.

The term "usage obsolescence" refers to the premature discontinuation of a fully functional product by the user. The reasons for non-use lie in individually justified behavior patterns and motives. In turn, user obsolescence must be distinguished from psychological obsolescence. The latter describes the consequences of measures taken by manufacturers to persuade customers to buy a new product through marketing and similar activities.

What can be done against obsolescence?

In a cooperation of the Öko-Institut, the Center for Consumer Research and Sustainable Consumption (VUNK) and the Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences, legal recommendations for policy makers were elaborated in order to take action against obsolescence:

  • Obligation to specify a minimum service life (with consequences under civil law)

  • Determining the warranty period on the basis of the expected service life

  • Extending the reversal of the burden of proof to two years

  • Introduce a "functionality guarantee" against the manufacturer, giving buyers a second liability partner

  • Expansion of representative action powers for environmental associations so that they can also assert violations of consumer protection standards on the subject of sustainability

  • Minimum requirements for both hardware and software in terms of durability and reliability of devices, software performance and compatibility with the respective hardware, software-based security requirements and risks

Consumers can also do something to make better purchasing decisions both in stationary retail and when shopping online. The Öko-Institut, for example, gives concrete pointers and recommendations for easily identifying long-lasting and repair-friendly products. In addition, shoppers can pay attention to whether the company they buy from has good obsolescence management.

Consumers therefore have the opportunity to actively change their consumption patterns in the direction of sustainability. In principle, for example, it is always worthwhile (from an ecological perspective) to have broken household appliances repaired. With many appliances, it also makes sense to use them for as long as possible to protect the environment. The Öko-Institut shows which appliances these are, when a new purchase is due and what rights consumers have in terms of warranty and guarantee.

Is planned obsolescence prohibited?

The idea of planned obsolescence is simple: It is about artificially stimulating the demand for new goods. To achieve this, the manufacturer allows a product to age or even break faster than technically necessary. The product becomes "obsolete" faster and the user has no other option but to buy a new product. Only in this case the manufacturer earns money again.

Unfortunately, planned wear is very difficult to prove. For one thing, one would have to prove that the product has aged prematurely. In certain cases, this is possible, for example, through the product design, the use of materials, the costs and safety aspects. On the other hand, however, it would also have to be shown that there was an intention behind this on the part of the manufacturer.

In Germany, planned obsolescence is not prohibited and is accordingly not sanctioned. The last time the German government decided against a law on planned obsolescence was in 2013 in the Environment Committee of the Bundestag. At that time, the intention was to introduce a statutory minimum service life for electronic devices, but the plan failed.

Conclusion

The term obsolescence describes the (artificial or natural) aging of products. Planned obsolescence, in turn, means that manufacturers deliberately limit the useful or service life of their products. The latter type of obsolescence is very difficult to prove and is not prosecuted in Germany. Consumers can pay attention to the stability and reparability of products when buying new ones in order to defend themselves against planned obsolescence and contribute to environmental protection in the industry.

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