ClimateJuly 14, 2026
obsolescence
/ˌɒbsəˈlɛsəns/
Definition
A business practice or design strategy where products are deliberately created to have a limited useful life, forcing consumers to replace them sooner than necessary.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'obsolescere', meaning 'to fall into disuse' or 'to wear out'. It entered English in the mid-19th century to describe the state of becoming outdated or no longer in practice.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe an unsustainable business model that the EU wants to move away from in favor of durability, repair, and reuse. This shift is presented as a vital component of Europe’s new industrial strategy to reduce resource consumption.
Europe must turn circularity into industrial policy, says EESC’s Lohan
Read the full article ↗euractiv.com