A product can be described as repairable while the owner has no practical way to obtain a repair. Include the surrounding service questions in the design discussion.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's longer-use guidance considers design choices that help products remain useful over time. Design products to be used more and for longer.
Identify a realistic scenario
Choose a potential maintenance or repair question and ask what information, access or support it would require. Keep the proposal specific to the actual product. Do not promise user repair where construction or other requirements make that uncertain.
Review the complete route
Ask who would provide the service, what evidence is needed and how the repaired result would be evaluated. A removable-looking part in a concept drawing does not establish an operating repair programme.
Use the review to improve the proposal or narrow its claims. A workable route for continued use is more informative than an unsupported label that makes every future issue sound easy to fix.
Source reviewed 25 October 2026. Practical interpretation and original illustrations by PLUSHIP / Qunhe; examples are illustrative.
Related reading
Design the Product, Package and Service as Connected Parts
Explore Widely and Choose Deliberately in Product Design
A Sewn Pattern and the Finished Product Need Different Measurement Views