With the RECQ label refurbished means reliable
In a world increasingly aware of the limits of endless consumption, refurbishment is gaining a new level of respect. Extending product lifespans is no longer just a sustainability ideal, it is becoming an essential part of modern industry. One alliance is helping reshape how quality and trust are defined in refurbishment. Through the RECQ label, French federation Rcube and global certification leader DEKRA are proving that refurbished products can be every bit as reliable and respected as brand-new ones.
Rcube and the need for measurable trust
Rcube, founded in 2012, is a federation of more than four hundred French companies active in reuse and repair across sectors ranging from electronics to construction. Its mission is rooted in a simple belief: reusing what already exists is one of the most powerful forms of sustainability.
But according to managing director Nadjib Renaï, good intentions alone are not enough. “But goodwill isn’t enough,” Renaï says. “If we want the refurbishment sector to be credible, it must be measurable. And that’s where quality labels come in. They create trust between buyers and sellers, and between sectors.”
A partnership forged in standards
That trust became concrete through the RECQ label, a framework designed to recognise genuine quality refurbishment. To bring credibility and structure, Rcube partnered with DEKRA in 2019. DEKRA, a century old German organisation known worldwide for technical audits and certifications, contributed rigorous verification systems and international recognition.
As Yvan Mainguy, managing director of DEKRA France’s certification branch, explains: “We’ve been setting safety and quality standards since 1925. Working with Rcube was a natural fit. They bring the field expertise; we bring the verification structure. Together, we can make refurbished products something people truly trust.”
Raising the bar for the entire industry
The RECQ label is built on a three pillar certification framework assessing sourcing, refurbishment, and reselling. Its goal is not to exclude companies, but to elevate the entire market. “It’s flexible, but serious,” Renaï explains. “Whether it’s electronics or construction, bicycles or batteries, the principles are the same: traceability, testing, transparency. We wanted to create a label that doesn’t exclude, but elevates the entire industry.”
Certification involves thorough site audits by DEKRA, corrective actions within strict deadlines, and ongoing annual follow ups. As Renaï puts it: “It’s not a one and done badge. It’s a continuous improvement journey.”
Growing visibility through regulation
In countries like France, legislation is reinforcing momentum. The AGEC law now requires public institutions to source a growing share of purchases from the circular economy. Mainguy calls this “a massive opportunity,” but emphasises that buyers must know what they can trust.
“Our dream,” he says, “is that people recognize the RECQ label on a phone, a bike, or a circuit board, and immediately know they can trust it.”
Towards global recognition
While RECQ began in France, its ambitions are international. DEKRA is already working with partners across Europe, including JC Electronics, to expand the framework. “The end goal is to make RECQ a globally recognised certification,” Mainguy says. “One that could apply as easily to refurbished medical equipment in Germany as to reconditioned electronics in the Netherlands.” Renaï agrees that building a culture of trust is essential: “We want to build a culture of trust around refurbished products. One label, one message: quality.”
A future built on verified quality
In a market where refurbished is still sometimes mistaken for compromise, RECQ offers something rare: proof. Proof that refurbishment can be responsible, reliable, and professionally verified. As Mainguy concludes: “Refurbishment isn’t just a trend; it’s the foundation of a sustainable economy. Quality certification is what makes it credible, scalable, and trusted.”