Fnac Darty is launching its first-ever digital passport for tracking domestic appliances in collaboration with ecosystem, a non-profit organization. Accessible through a QR code and based on the open-source protocol developed by the startup Arianee, this new tool should allow consumers and actors of repair and reuse to reliably trace every step of their appliance’s life cycle, from manufacture to recycling. This innovative new service reflects Fnac Darty’s commitment, as France’s leading repairer, to helping consumers embrace ethical habits by guiding them toward sustainable products.
Digital Passports: The First Product ID Aimed at Extending Product Life Span
Appearing as a QR code on every appliance, the digital passport provides a comprehensive overview of a product’s history—from manufacture to sale, repairs, reconditioning and resale—in a single, secure location. This has many benefits for consumers, including:
- Assurance as to the origin of refurbished products;
- Certification that the product is in full working order when resold;
- Instant access to maintenance or repair services;
- Help identifying spare parts, and much more.
The first iteration of this digital passport is available for “2nde vie collectors“ items. This collection comprises 4,000 reconditioned domestic appliances (refrigerators, dryers, washing machines, freezers) that Darty, Official Supporter, provided for the Paris 2024 Athletes’ Village, and which were used during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The digital passport contains the product’s entire history, from the moment it was installed in the Athletes’ Village to its refurbishment in Darty’s after-sales service workshops. It also includes a product care sheet and the instruction manual, meaning customers can easily access maintenance tips to extend their appliances’ life spans.
The digital passport is scheduled to be rolled out for all Fnac Darty Second Life domestic appliances in the first quarter of 2025 and will gradually be extended to new or repaired products, as well as to other industry players.
