Europe's First Quality Label for Refurbished Products

RecQ Label

Reconditionnement de Qualité

Supported by the RCube.org Federation and certified by DEKRA Certification—the leading brand for reliable, transparent, and responsible used products.

Trademark registered with the EUIPO under No. 018442159

DEKRA Independent Audit

+20 certified facilities

Background & Challenges

A growing market, but quality is too inconsistent

The secondhand market is experiencing spectacular growth in France and Europe, driven by environmental concerns and the desire to stretch one’s budget. But this growth comes with real risks for consumers.

A fragmented sector

More than 6,500 businesses refurbish, manufacture, or sell secondhand goods in France—in stores, online, or through marketplaces—including more than 2,000 “refurbisher-sellers” listed on marketplaces.

Documented violations

In 2025, the DGCCRF sampled products sold online by seven of the most popular marketplaces among French consumers. These samples revealed that 46% of the products analyzed were non-compliant and dangerous. As a result, more than 100,000 products reported to the platforms in question have already been removed from sale. Consumers should therefore be vigilant when purchasing products sold on marketplaces: insufficient information about the product’s condition, non-compliance with the Consumer Code regarding warranties… Prices may be attractive, but these sites often pay less attention to quality, product safety, and compliance with European law, regardless of where the product was manufactured. https://www.economie.gouv.fr/dgccrf/actualites-dgccrf/securite-des-articles-vendus-sur-les-marketplaces-etrangeres-plus-de-100-000-produits-retires-du-marche

Very inconsistent quality

Lack of transparency regarding the origin of the products, non-compliance with tax regulations (VAT, eco-tax, RCP), risks of technical non-compliance (CE marking), absence of invoices, and misuse of the terms “manufacturer’s warranty” or “24-month warranty” that are not honored.

An evolving legal framework

The Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Act (AGEC) has established regulations governing the use of the term “refurbished,” consumer information requirements, and measures to facilitate reuse.

In light of these findings, the RCube Federation and DEKRA Certification created the RecQ label—an acronym for “Quality Refurbishment”—a collective certification mark registered with the European Union—to provide additional guarantees and address the sector’s structural shortcomings.

About the label

What is the RecQ Label?

The RecQ label is a registered European certification mark legally protected under No. 018442159, owned by the RCube.org Federation. It is the first European quality label dedicated to secondhand products that have been professionally refurbished.

Inspired by the system established for the Organic Agriculture Label (AB label), the RecQ label recognizes products and stakeholders that adhere to best practices throughout the value chain: collection, testing, cleaning, removal of personal data, repair, and preparation for resale.

By combining an assessment of regulatory compliance with environmental considerations and the provisions of the Consumer Code, the RecQ certification encourages the purchase of high-quality, durable products and provides consumers with transparent information. This approach enables a pragmatic response to the depletion of natural resources and supports environmental protection.

2016

Year the first quality label for refurbished products was created by RCube

+40

Accredited organizations in France and Europe

30+

Criteria supplementary to the regulations

3 years

Validity period of the certification (with annual evaluations)

Objectives

Why does this label exist?

Since 2016, the RecQ label has pursued three core objectives to establish a high-quality refurbished goods sector.

Educating and protecting consumers

Guide buyers toward high-quality pre-owned goods—from a product, environmental, and social perspective—by providing them with clear and verified information about the product’s actual condition, its components, its accessories, and the associated warranties.

Promote reuse and extend the product's lifespan

Encourage the circulation of products that are still functional but are too often sent to landfills or recycled prematurely, thereby helping to reduce electronic waste and conserve resources.

Professionalizing the refurbishment sector

Establish and maintain quality standards that are universally accepted by all stakeholders in the industry—collectors, remanufacturers, and distributors—in order to bring structure to a market that is currently too fragmented and heterogeneous.

Specifications

What guarantees does the RecQ Label provide?

The certification is based on compliance with a rigorous set of standards comprising some thirty criteria that go beyond applicable regulations. These standards are the result of consultation with all stakeholders in the sector, whether or not they are members of RCube. Some examples of certified companies: ALSTOM, ASERTI, COFIEM, CORDON, DIPLI, DPA EUROPE/Reborn, ECONOCOM Factory/SMAAART, E-RECYCLE, E-SERVO, JC ELECTRONICS, LARGO, MAXI PNEUS PRO, NEXT MOBILES, NEST GREEN, PRINTERRE, PIXMANIA/RVR, RECOMMERCE, RHEVEA, SAINT VIT INFORMATIQUE, TC Transport, TYGOM, VESTO…

A product bearing the RecQ label provides guarantees in the following areas:

The creation of a comprehensive diagnosis on all of the device's features and the repairs performed, providing full traceability of the refurbishment process.

Thesafety and quality ofthe refurbished product, including compliance with CE marking requirements for accessories and components.

Respect for theconfidentiality of theseller’sdata, with robust, certified data erasure processes and buyback terms that protect the interests of the original seller.

Providingclear and transparent informationabout the actual condition of the product, its components, accessories, warranties, and related after-sales services.

Specific quality criteriafor each product—for example, cell phone batteries must have a capacity of at least 80% of their original capacity; critical components (such as memory cards) are evaluated according to strict standards.

Adocument-based regulatory compliance auditcovering taxation (VAT payments, prevention of VAT fraud on markups), environmental obligations (waste management, eco-levies on imports), and compliance with quasi-tax obligations (Private Copying Levy).

Compliance with the waste treatment hierarchy, a technical guarantee of a service life that meets or exceeds regulatory requirements, and the availability of an operational after-sales service.

Scope

Products covered by the RecQ Label

The label is now in effect for several product categories and will gradually be expanded to new sectors.

📱

Smartphones

💻

Computers Laptops & Desktops

🚗

Passenger car tires

⚡

Industrial electrical equipment

🚲

Bicycles

🏠

Home appliances

🧸

Toys

🔧

Home Improvement & Gardening

Certification process

How do I obtain the RecQ certification?

The process for obtaining the certification is rigorous and structured around several steps. The RCube association manages and administers the certification and its standards through a Certification Committee and its Board of Directors.

Submission of the application

Applicants submit an application to the Certification Committee, led by RCube.org and composed of independent experts. This application includes the signing of a charter committing to responsible reuse, as well as supporting documentation verifying the eligibility of the application.

Preliminary review by the Committee

The Certification Committee reviews the applications and verifies the applicant's eligibility before forwarding the application to DEKRA Certification for the on-site audit phase.

Independent Audit by DEKRA Certification

DEKRA Certification, an independent accredited certification body, conducts a comprehensive assessment that includes a physical and technical inspection of the remanufacturing facility. A qualified auditor verifies that the applicant and the products comply with all requirements of the RecQ standard.

Correction of nonconformities

Following the audit, any nonconformities identified must be corrected within six weeks. The corrective actions must be reviewed and accepted by the auditor within that timeframe.

Decision of the Accreditation Committee

A final report is prepared and submitted to the applicant and to the Certification Committee, which decides, through a vote by its independent members, whether to grant the right to use the RecQ label.

3-year certification + annual evaluations

If the Committee grants approval, the operator is granted use of the label for a period of three years, subject to annual evaluations. The label is thus part of a process of continuous improvement.

Label holders

RCube.org & DEKRA Certification: two organizations that ensure the label’s credibility

🏛️ The RCube.org Federation—a professional federationfor reuse and repair—brings together more than 400 members and partners. It is the managing body and owner of the RecQ label. As an active member of CIFREP, CNEC, and ADEME’s Reuse Observatory, it plays a key role in decision-making bodies to help shape the sector.

🔬 DEKRA Certification: Aninternationally renowned independent audit and certification body, DEKRA Certification has been commissioned for a three-year term to conduct on-site assessments. Its mission is to ensure the impartiality and rigor of the certification process through qualified and independent auditors.

The RecQ label received support from Cédric O, former Secretary of State for Digital Affairs of the French Republic, who served as the guest of honor at its official launch.

Foundations

The standards taken into account in the development of the label

The RecQ label was developed based on a set of nationally and internationally recognized standards. Its framework does not aim to incorporate all of these standards, but rather selects the most relevant requirements.

The “Refurbished Mobile Label” and “Recycled Mobile Label” were created in 2016 by RCube in collaboration with DNV—the historical foundation of the project.

Guidelines on Social Responsibility — NF ISO 26000, November 2010.

Joint Charter for Accredited Environmental Organizations and the Coordinating Body for Information and Communication — Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Household WEEE), May 25, 2007.

General Principles of Environmental Labeling.

Recognized environmental labels and certifications: ISO 14001, Longtime, R2, EPEAT, TCO Certified.

Are you interested in obtaining the RecQ certification?

Whether you are a remanufacturer, distributor, or collector, join the more than 20 organizations already certified in France and Europe. Contact the RCube Federation or visit the dedicated page on the DEKRA Certification website to learn more about the application process.

Become a RCube Member
DEKRA Information →