Every day in France, 40 million broken goods are not repaired. Meanwhile, 69% of French people perform repairs – but often alone at home, for lack of finding a reliable, accessible and competent professional. And independent repairers, these everyday artisans who make the circular economy work? They struggle to ensure their profitability, hampered by growing invisibility and limited access to fundamental technical information.
Introduction: A Troubling Economic Paradox
This is where the Digital Product Passport (DPP) intervenes as a strategic lever often ignored: well beyond regulatory obligations for industrial giants, the DPP represents a major opportunity to transform the daily lives of small repairers, local artisans and micro-enterprises.
Why Are Independent Repairers Invisible?
The Structural Problem: Information = Power
Today, independent repairers face a fundamental challenge: access to technical data. When a consumer arrives with a faulty product, the repairer must first diagnose the problem without having electrical diagrams, detailed manuals, or compatible parts lists. What should take 15 minutes takes an hour.
Here is the typical frustration cycle:
- The client arrives with a poorly described problem
- The repairer searches for technical documentation (if it still exists)
- Adequate replacement parts are unavailable or extremely expensive
- Diagnosis drags on, inflating labor costs
- The client leaves, disappointed, and prefers to buy new
The result? 41% of faulty products are simply replaced.
Information Asymmetry
Meanwhile, official repairers approved by brands have a determining advantage: they access proprietary databases, "original" guaranteed spare parts, and above all, legitimacy with customers. The small neighborhood repairer, even if competent, cannot offer the same certainty.
In 2025, this asymmetry has widened further with the rise of large repair chains (Murfy, Spareka with its video assistance services) which have capital to invest in technology and accessibility.
However, some figures to remember:
- More than 70,000 repair artisans existing in France
- 1,200 approved smartphone repairers in 2024 (triple compared to 2023)
- 7,357 repair points associated with labeling (repair bonus)
But these figures mask a reality: the majority of repairs are done outside the official circuit, with small professionals and self-repairers. These actors are invisible, under-capitalized and vulnerable.
How the DPP Transforms the Situation
1. Democratized Access to Technical Information
The DPP requires manufacturers to make standardized information available for each product, including:
- Electrical and mechanical diagrams
- Compatible spare parts lists
- Detailed manuals
- Diagnostic instructions
- Previous repair histories
Crucially, this information must be accessible free of charge to approved repairers (a category that is gradually expanding).
Implication for independent repairers:
Instead of searching for hours for technical documentation that no longer exists, the repairer can scan the DPP QR code with their smartphone and instantly access relevant data. No manufacturing secrets disclosed to the client, but essential information for repair.
Concrete example:
A phone repairer receives a faulty Samsung device. Previously, they had to pay for a subscription to a technical database. With the DPP, they directly access the phone's passport, find exactly which part has failed, and locate suppliers of compatible parts (including second-hand, thanks to data sharing provided by the DPP).
2. Standardization and Interoperability
The DPP does not create distinct information "silos" by manufacturer. On the contrary, it imposes a standardized and interoperable structure, which means:
- Repairers no longer need to learn 50 different documentation formats
- A household appliance repairer can easily transfer their skills to new products
- Small SMEs can invest in unified technological tools
Avant
Before: "I must train my team on Samsung's documentation system, then LG, then Bosch..." (multiplied training costs)
Après
After: "A single DPP data access system, applicable to all eligible products." (divided costs, increased competitiveness)
3. Repair Traceability: A Weapon Against Doubt
One of the reasons consumers hesitate to trust small repairers? The lack of transparency. Did they really replace the part? Is it original? Is the repair guaranteed?
The DPP imposes complete traceability of the product's history, including repairs performed. Each intervention is documented directly in the product's digital passport.
Implication:
Small repairers can now offer verifiable and transparent guarantees. The client can, at any time, scan the QR code and see:
- "Battery replaced on 12/11/2025 by Atelier Dupont (reference actually recorded)"
- Parts used and their origin
- Authenticity certificates
This is a first step towards trust for honest repairers and a barrier against fraudsters.
Concrete Business Opportunities
Opportunity #1: Register as an Approved Repairer in the DPP Ecosystem
From 2027, the DPP includes a repairer marketplace feature. Consumers will search: "Where can I have my product repaired near me?" and a map will display certified repairers.
For small repairers:
Unlike classic sites (Google Maps, Yellow Pages), this visibility will be linked to the exact product, which attracts clients with clear and immediate purchase intent. A washing machine repairer who registers in the DPP as "Approved After-Sales Service" will appear directly when a consumer searches for a diagnosis for their broken Whirlpool.
Reality in 2025: The repair bonus has already created similar momentum. Approved repairs increased by 294% in one year (2023 to 2024), mainly due to better visibility offered by lists of certified repairers.
Opportunity #2: Drastic Reduction in Diagnostic Costs
Let's remember: 30% of the cost of a repair consists of diagnostic fees. A repairer who must disassemble the device, test components one by one, and search for documentation, can charge 40-80€ just to identify the problem.
With the DPP and its standardized data, this diagnostic time could be reduced by 50 to 75%.
Economic implication:
A repairer working 8h per day on 5 repairs = 1h36 min per repair
With DPP, they could handle 7-8 repairs in the same time
Productivity increase: +40-50%
Opportunity #3: Access to the Second-Hand Parts Market
One of the DPP innovations: creating traceability for reused and second-hand parts.
Concretely:
- A company recovers a Samsung Galaxy battery in good condition (from an irreparable phone)
- This part is documented in the DPP with its history
- An independent repairer can buy it at low cost and use it to repair another Galaxy
- The consumer receives a reliable repair at 30-40% less cost
Impact: reused parts represent a margin opportunity for repairers, while reducing costs for clients. It's a virtuous circle that the DPP facilitates by creating shared parts platforms (like SDS Market, already active in household appliances).
Opportunity #4: Valuing Local Know-How
For "generalist" repairers who repair everything (electronics, household appliances, everyday objects), the DPP offers an opportunity to position themselves as certified polyvalent experts.
Rather than competing with large chains on cost, small repairers can use the DPP to:
- Display their certifications and experience
- Show the complete history of their repairs (average rating, satisfaction rate)
- Offer value-added services (free diagnosis via videoconference, express service, extended warranty)
This is what Spareka and Murfy already do, but with the DPP, every small workshop could benefit from similar visibility.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Challenge #1: Unequal Access to Technology
The DPP relies on digitization: QR codes, online accessible databases, digital authentication. But not all repairers are digital natives.
Solution:
Eco-organizations and public authorities must set up accelerated and free training for repair artisans, similar to the "repair bonus" which has already created a learning effect. The repair bonus experience shows that repairers are receptive to adoption when administrative barriers decrease.
Challenge #2: Market Fragmentation
In 2025, the DPP is still only in force for certain products (batteries in February 2027, textiles in July 2027, etc.). This transition phase creates fragmentation where some products are "passported" and others are not.
Solution:
During the transition phase, repairers must combine old resources (PDF manuals, expert forums) with the DPP for new products. Platforms like Verisav can play a key role in aggregating this information in a unified interface.
Challenge #3: Protection of Manufacturers' Intellectual Property
Some manufacturers fear that the DPP will expose their design secrets. Although regulation prevents this (selective access according to roles), trust must be established.
Solution:
Complete transparency from European regulators on which types of information will be mandatory or optional. Manufacturers who commit early will benefit from a competitive advantage in terms of image (sustainability, transparency).
Real Use Cases: Who's Already Winning?
Case #1: Decathlon and RFID (Inventory Reduction)
Decathlon has massively adopted RFID chips on its products, a revolutionary technology for the DPP. The result?
- Real-time traceability of each item
- 30% reduction in returns
- Drastic facilitation of workshop repairs (the system knows the product history)
Implication for small repairers: if Decathlon extends this approach via the DPP from 2027, each repair performed will be automatically recorded, creating a verifiable guarantee.
Case #2: LVMH and Blockchain (Authenticity)
LVMH created its "DPP Factory" using blockchain to authenticate its products. Collateral benefits:
- Small luxury product repairers can now verify authenticity without contacting LVMH directly
- The luxury reconditioning market is accelerating (Vestiaire Collective, Rebag, etc.)
- A new category of luxury-specialized repairers is emerging
Case #3: Volvo and Batteries (Transparency)
Volvo integrates a standardized battery passport in its electric vehicles. The result?
- Independent repair centers can diagnose battery problems without proprietary equipment
- Repair cost decreases
- Owners have confidence in complete product transparency
Verisav: Simplifying DPP Access for Repairers
This is precisely where Verisav intervenes as a strategic intermediary. The Verisav platform can:
- Centralize DPP access: Independent repairers access a single unified dashboard, instead of consulting 50 different sources
- Provide AI-assisted diagnosis: Powered by DPP data, AI can suggest compatible parts and diagnostic steps
- Create a repairer marketplace: Small workshops register, consumers find them, repair data is recorded transparently
- Facilitate traceability: Each repair is recorded in the DPP, automatically generating a warranty certificate
In other words, Verisav democratizes access to DPP infrastructure, enabling micro-entrepreneurs to compete on the field of technology and transparency.
The Calendar: Prepare Now
February 2027: DPP mandatory for batteries
July 2027: DPP mandatory for textiles and clothing
October 2027: DPP mandatory for iron and steel products
2027-2030: Progressive deployment for all products
For independent repairers:
2025-2026: Train yourself in DPP technologies and consider registering on approved repairer networks
2027: Activate your DPP access and start capturing benefits (faster diagnosis, more clients, better margin)
Conclusion: The Golden Opportunity for Local Repair
The Digital Product Passport is often perceived as a regulatory constraint imposed by Brussels. But this is a perspective error.
For independent repairers, repair artisans, and small reconditioning structures, the DPP is a major rebalancing opportunity. By democratizing access to technical information, creating transparent traceability, and valuing local know-how, the DPP transforms "invisible providers" into central actors of the circular economy.
The 40 million broken products that are not repaired each year in France could find a second life. The 70,000 repair artisans could compete on a more equitable basis. And above all, consumers would access quality repair, at competitive prices, near their homes.
The DPP is not a threat to small repairers. It's their moment.
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