Planned Obsolescence Definition
Planned obsolescence (also called premature obsolescence) is the practice of designing or supporting a product so that it becomes unusable, hard to repair, or outdated sooner than necessary, pushing the owner to replace it. A well-known example is the Phoebus cartel of the 1920s, in which light bulb manufacturers agreed to limit bulb life to 1,000 hours.
What forms can it take?
- Limited durability: parts designed to wear out early, or batteries sealed into the device
- Barriers to repair: glued casings, or spare parts that are unavailable or overpriced
- Software obsolescence: updates that slow older devices, or support that ends while the hardware still works
- Perceived obsolescence: frequent style changes that make working products feel outdated
How does EU law address it?
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) can set minimum requirements for durability, repairability, and spare-part availability for specific product groups. EU consumer protection law (the EmpCo Directive) bans related sales practices, such as false claims about how long a product lasts or promoting products with features known to shorten their life. Our guide to ESPR compliance explains how these rules apply.
Why does it matter for businesses?
Durability and repairability are becoming regulated product attributes. Businesses selling in the EU need accurate data on lifespan, spare parts, and software support to back up their product listings and labels. Claims without that data carry legal risk.