Back Market Pushes for 10-Year Smartphone Lifespan Standard

The scale of the industry's material consumption is massive, with 319 million tons of upstream materials extracted annually—a figure comparable to the weight of 900 Empire State Buildings. Research commissioned by Back Market, conducted by Opinium across six countries, suggests that consumer awareness of these hidden costs is minimal. Over half of the 6,000 respondents could not identify a single material used in their devices, yet 66% expressed support for legislation that would mandate hardware durability and long-term software support.

Thibaud Hug de Larauze, Executive Chairman of Back Market, argues that the current system suffers from a fundamental transparency deficit. By providing data on the human and geopolitical impacts of mineral extraction, the new platform serves as a tool for public pressure. Achieving a decade-long device lifespan requires a tripartite shift: manufacturers must design for repairability, policymakers must enforce strict right-to-repair mandates, and the market must normalize the purchase of refurbished technology. The company plans to formalize this coalition at the upcoming Slow Tech Summit in Paris on October 15.