At TechForGood, we believe that technology should be built to last—and built to be repaired. In a world of fast upgrades and throwaway culture, repairability is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a business and environmental imperative. But not all repairability claims are created equal.
That’s why we’re standing alongside certification leaders like TCO Certified, calling out a growing concern in sustainable tech: greenwashing through unverified repairability scores.
The Rise (and Risk) of Repairability Indexes
In response to growing demand for sustainable electronics, some governments and manufacturers have introduced repairability indexes—quick-reference scores meant to help buyers assess how easy it is to repair a product.
Sounds great, right?
The problem? Many of these scores are self-declared. That means manufacturers grade their own products, often without third-party verification. The result? Scores that look good on paper but don’t always reflect the real-world repair experience.
It’s a bit like marking your own test and giving yourself an A+—and it opens the door to greenwashing.
Why This Matters for Buyers
For B Corps, Social Traders, and organisations making procurement decisions with ESG and social impact goals in mind, trusting unverified claims can:
- Jeopardise sustainability targets.
- Lead to shorter device lifespans and more e-waste.
- Undermine stakeholder trust and procurement compliance
At TechForGood, we’ve seen firsthand how unreliable these indexes can be. That's why we only source technology that’s backed by independent certifications, like TCO Certified, which includes verified repairability criteria in its assessment process.
Repairability Isn’t Just a Feature—It’s a Strategy
True sustainability doesn’t end with a longer battery life or a recyclable box. It means:
- Access to spare parts
- Repair manuals that are actually usable
- Tools and designs that make repairs simple and safe
- Suppliers that don’t void your warranty just because you tried to fix something
These are the kinds of criteria TCO Certified verifies—independently, and transparently.
What TechForGood Is Doing About It
As Australia’s only B Corp Certified, female-led tech supplier, we hold ourselves to higher standards. That’s why:
- We curate product ranges based on verified repairability and sustainability standards, not just marketing claims.
- We educate our customers on the difference between certification vs. self-declaration, so they can make informed procurement choices.
- We advocate for regulation and industry change, because the future of tech shouldn’t be landfill.
“A repairability score without verification is like a seatbelt that hasn’t been crash-tested—it might look reassuring, but it doesn’t guarantee safety or impact.”
What Can You Do?
If your organisation is making tech procurement decisions this year, here’s what you can do:
- Ask the hard questions – Who verified the repairability score? Is there a third-party audit?
- Choose certified solutions – Look for products with TCO Certified or equivalent verifications.
- Partner with suppliers who prioritise transparency and impact – like TechForGood.
Let’s raise the bar for what sustainability really looks like in tech. Because in the end, if it’s not independently verified, it’s not truly sustainable—it’s just good marketing.
Want help choosing technology that supports your social procurement and ESG goals?
Let’s chat. We’ll make sure your next IT investment does more than just power your workplace—it powers change.