The specifications of the
LONGTIME® label

The specifications of the LONGTIME® label are the result of 2 years of consultation. It is structured around 3 pillars and has 41 control points for a global approach to sustainability: longevity, repairability, quality of after-sales service.

01

The product is designed to last over time

1. State of the art – technical solutions

The manufacturer identifies and records the constraints of use of the product and its various parts in a technical data sheet. It proves that it has reliable and qualitative design choices and technical solutions in light of these constraints.

2. Production

The manufacturer proves that it has processes in place to control and maintains consistent manufacturing and assembly quality in production.

3. Non-use

The manufacturer identifies the consequences of non-use of the product and informs the consumer of the recommendations regarding the minimum use necessary for the proper functioning of the product.

4. Unproven technology

The manufacturer provides information on the portion of unproven technology in their product. It must provide the means implemented to guarantee its reliability or ensure that the normal use of the product does not depend on this technology.

5. Reliability plan

The manufacturer provides its own FMEA or internal audit and identifies the changes implemented to extend the product’s lifespan and repairability. Corrections or improvements already made to the product are indicated.

6. Sub-set

Sub-assemblies should only be included in the design if there is technical justification or proof of their reliability.
Without technical justification, sub-assemblies must be subject to a standard reconditioning and/or exchange procedure, or the manufacturer must demonstrate the economic interest for the user.

7. Consumable parts and accessories

Consumable parts, accessories and parts which require regular maintenance must comply with accessibility scale A. The exact thresholds will be specified in the PSRs.

8. Security Elements

The replacement and/or rearming of the product and/or user safety elements is provided for by the manufacturer. These elements are in accordance with Accessibility Scale B. The exact thresholds will be specified in the PSRs.

9. Vulnerable parts

The vulnerable parts are defined in the PSRs. The replacement of these parts meet the scale of accessibility B. The exact thresholds will be specified in the PSRs.

10. Second source parts

The manufacturer records the second source parts purchased and subcontracted. It must provide information on their origin and quality.

11. Failure rate and study

The manufacturer shall provide failure rates and/or indicators for monitoring the reliability of the product at least until the last unit of the concerned model is available on the market.

12. Identification number

The manufacturer uses a number or method of identification on each product.

13. Software

The manufacturer ensures that the original performance of its product is maintained for an unlimited period of time when updating the OS. The manufacturer identifies and records the means it uses to monitor the maintenance of this post-maj performance.

02

The product meets the conditions of repairability and after-sales service

14. Product casing

The body of the product is removable and allows access to the internal elements in accordance with accessibility scale B. The exact thresholds will be specified in the PSRs.
Permanent assemblies are prohibited unless the nature or use of the product justifies it in accordance with the PSRs.

15. Access to functional parts

Access to functional parts must not exceed the scale of Accessibility C. Unless otherwise stated in the PSRs.

16. Access to Priority parts

Access to priority parts is in accordance with accessibility scale B or a reliability plan is in place. The exact thresholds will be specified in the PSRs.

17. Sub-assembly connectors (internal parts)

The connectors of the replacement sub-assemblies must not interfere with the repair of the product.

18. Batteries

The manufacturer shall provide evidence of a solution for the replacement of batteries for autonomous appliances in accordance with the PSRs.

19. Removal Tools

The product can be dismantled with traditional and non-proprietary tools without regulatory justification.

20. Exploded diagram

At the time of purchase, the manufacturer provides the consumer with the schematic(s) or exploded view(s) of the product and a list of parts and sub-assemblies of the product. An updated digital version is available on request or on the manufacturer’s website.

21. Exploded diagram

The manufacturer refers to and delivers more specific exploded views to help identify and name a part.

22. Fault code

The user and repairer defect codes must be present in the respective documentation and/or accessible on the manufacturer’s website.

23. Repair manual

The manufacturer shall make the necessary information for the repair of the product available to repairers (repair manual and electronic board diagrams) OR must provide economically viable alternatives for the consumer.

24. Fault diagnosis software packages

Fault diagnosis software packages must be free of rights after the total warranty period has expired with regard to the end date of manufacture of the product.

25. List of parts

All spare parts or sub-assemblies are uniquely named and coded to facilitate identification and ordering of parts.

26. Availability Time

The manufacturer commits to the terms laid out it its General Terms and Conditions regarding the availability of spare or replacement parts for the product at least 5 to 10 years from the end of the product’s production. The minimum availability time required is specified in the PSRs.

27. Time of supply

The manufacturer has a minimum stock level in order to meet probable requests for functional parts or sub-assemblies OR provides proof of a procurement process within the same time frame.

28. Prices of spare parts

The terms and conditions for purchasing spare parts are outlined (average price, distribution network, etc.). The manufacturer shall do everything in its power to limit the total price of functional parts to the maximum recommended selling price of the product, excluding VAT.
The value of one of these functional parts must not exceed the percentage, set in the PSRs, of the maximum recommended selling price of the product, excluding VAT.

29. Shipping costs

The manufacturer charges only the real shipping and preparation costs for delivery, or proposes alternative solutions that reduce the cost of receiving the spare parts.

30. After-Sales Service contact

The maximum time for opening an after-sales service dossier must not exceed 2 working days.

31. Customer care

The manufacturer provides the consumer with an after-sales service network that is in line with its direct distribution network.

32. Repair policy

Repair must take precedence over replacement.

33. After-sales service network

The consumer has access to various means which facilitate the repair of their product out of warranty. To support product repair, the manufacturer must share the advantages of its network of distribution and repair with the consumer.

03

The product has warranty beyond the legal guarantee of conformity

34. Warranty period

The warranty period with the presumption of lack of prior art is determined in the PSRs. This time must not be less than 24 months.

35. Warranty conditions (beyond the legal compliance period)

For the category of products that are considered “very useful”, the manufacturer provides the buyer with a replacement good during the repair period in which their product is immobilised.

36. Warranty exclusions

Warranty exclusions must not be improper considering the normal conditions of use of the product. They will be defined in the PSRs.

37. Warranty transfer

The manufacturer shall set up a transferable warranty system.

38. Original packaging

The returning of the original packing must not be required for the guarantee to be honoured.

39. User information provided

The manufacturer provides a booklet of use and maintenance advice with the product.

40. User information provided

The user and maintenance advice booklet is clear, simple and accessible (font size, vocabulary, language and print quality adapted), in order to be easily understood by final users.

41. Access to Information

Information on the use and maintenance of the goods must be available in digital form on request or free of charge on the manufacturer’s website.