Reusability

Reusability refers to the ability of a product or its components to be reused for their original function or a new function. It is a pillar of the circular economy and helps reduce waste. The ESPR regulation promotes reusability by imposing design requirements. Verisav tracks product reusability in the DPP, recording reuse cycles and transformations. Reusability is a key concept in the circular economy, as it enables extension of product and component lifespans without major transformation, unlike recycling which requires material transformation. A reusable product can be used multiple times for its original function, or be transformed for a new function, or its components can be recovered and reused in other products. Reusability depends on several factors: product robustness and durability, ease of cleaning and refurbishment, modularity enabling replacement or reuse of certain components, and design facilitating reuse. The ESPR regulation promotes reusability by imposing design requirements for certain products, particularly in terms of robustness, ease of cleaning, modularity and information on reuse possibilities. Reusability can take different forms: direct reuse (a product is used multiple times for its original function, such as returnable bottles), reuse after transformation (a product is modified for a new function), component reuse (certain components are recovered and reused in other products), and reuse in a different context (a product is reused by another user or in another context). The DPP can document product reusability by recording information on design, reuse possibilities, reuse cycles performed, and transformations carried out. Verisav tracks product reusability throughout their life cycle, recording in the DPP all reuse cycles and transformations, thus enabling assessment of reuse effectiveness and promoting reuse practices.