€100,000 Fine against TRELLEBORG S.A.S. (SIRET number: 391 933 397 00013)
Economic sector: Rubber products manufacturing
Date of the decision: 18/05/2023
Authority responsible for the decision: National Consumer Affairs, Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate (DGCCRF).
Summary of the facts:
Following an investigation launched in 2021, the DGCCRF found that Trelleborg S.A.S. had implemented a practice of planned obsolescence on certain industrial wheelbarrows manufactured and marketed by the company.
Planned obsolescence is defined as the set of techniques by which a manufacturer deliberately reduces the lifespan of a product in order to increase its rate of replacement.
In this case, the DGCCRF found that Trelleborg S.A.S. had made certain technical choices in the design of its wheelbarrows that artificially reduced their lifespan. These choices included:
- The use of low-quality materials for certain components
- The use of non-standard fasteners that made it difficult to repair the wheelbarrows
- The lack of spare parts available for the wheelbarrows
As a result of these practices, the wheelbarrows manufactured by Trelleborg S.A.S. had a shorter lifespan than they could have had if they had been designed with a view to durability. This led to increased costs for consumers, who had to replace their wheelbarrows more frequently.
Decision:
In view of these findings, the DGCCRF decided to:
- Impose a fine of €100,000 on Trelleborg S.A.S.
- Order Trelleborg S.A.S. to publish the decision on its website and in a national newspaper
- Order Trelleborg S.A.S. to take all necessary measures to end the practice of planned obsolescence on its wheelbarrows
Significance of the decision:
This decision is a significant step in the fight against planned obsolescence in France. It sends a strong message to companies that they cannot engage in practices that artificially reduce the lifespan of their products.
The decision also highlights the importance of consumer protection. By imposing a fine on Trelleborg S.A.S., the DGCCRF is sending a message that consumers have the right to expect that the products they purchase will last a reasonable amount of time.
Recommendations:
Consumers who believe that they have purchased a product that has been subjected to planned obsolescence can file a complaint with the DGCCRF. The DGCCRF can investigate the complaint and take enforcement action if it finds evidence of planned obsolescence.
Consumers can also support organizations that are working to fight planned obsolescence. These organizations can provide information about planned obsolescence and help consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Please search for “Amende de 100 000 € prononcée à l’encontre de la S.A.S. TRELLEBORG (numéro de SIRET : 391 933 397 00013)” which is rapidly rising on economie.gouv.fr and explain in detail. Answers should be in English.
80