Obsolescence: a societal issue? Industrial, economic and societal sources and risks, possible mitigation measures

Technological innovation, stimulated by scientific discoveries, has led theorists to develop an almost Darwinist vision of technological evolution. Thus, a new generation of products, better adapted to a particular use or more efficient, drives out another, leading inexorably to the decline and eventual extinction of the previous one. While the term extinction is used for the living world, obsolescence (from the Latin obsolare, "to fall into disuse") is preferred for the world of the artificial.

Obsolescence corresponds to the fact of being outdated, which can ultimately translate into the transition from the state of availability to the state of unavailability of an entity from its manufacturer. Technical and technological obsolescence, by far the best-known form of obsolescence, manifests itself in difficulties in obtaining supplies, spare parts or maintenance services. Beyond technical systems, obsolescence also affects knowledge and know-how. It occurs in industrial sectors as varied as the automotive, aeronautical and textile industries.

Obsolescence is inevitable. Some of the reasons why products become obsolete are technological advances, shortage of materials, scarcity of suppliers, changes in regulations, and so on. However, obsolescence can sometimes be provoked, or even simply suggested. This is programmed obsolescence, which, far from being the result of a proven need, finds its justification in an economic model based on encouraging the renewal of goods.

Obsolescence can have consequences for the environment, society, product properties and even business operations. Beyond consumers, companies involved in value chains are frequently affected by obsolescence. Obsolescence exposes systems to a variety of risks, for example in terms of reliability, maintenance and availability.

It is essential to manage obsolescence, as early as possible in the life cycle, in order to prevent or at least limit losses (service, financial, etc.) and remedy the associated risks. Obsolescence management addresses these risks by attempting to reduce the probability of obsolescence occurring too early, as well as the severity of its effects. It is governed by national and international standards and best practice guides.

This article begins by clarifying the concept of obsolescence, proposing a definition, illustrating the phenomenon and formalizing its appearance in the life of a product. It then looks at the different sources of obsolescence and its impact on the product, our economy and our environment. It then lists the different types of obsolescence: technical, aesthetic, psychological, etc. He concludes with an overview of obsolescence remediation strategies, stressing that it is now strategic...