Information as a tool for making informed purchase decisions

Not so long ago, the products that our grandparents bought lasted for decades. You could keep the same refrigerator for at least 20 years! Why is it so different today? Consumers need more information to help them ensure that the purchases they choose to make will be reliable investments.

Back in October 2022, when our study Working Towards Repairable Appliances and Electronics in Canada was published, we recommended the introduction of a durability index to provide consumers with the information they need to make informed purchase decisions. Our new research has validated the interest of Canadians in this kind of information, with 73% of them saying that access to information about the reliability of a product would have an influence on their purchase decision.

This report shows that consumers are ready, the country's economy would benefit, and the time is right for a durability index in Canada.

Have a look to:

• Understand how it would work, the value and the potential effects of a durability index;

• Learn about the mechanisms that must be put in place to ensure that Canadians have access to durable and repairable goods;

• See Équiterre's recommendations for implementing a durability index.