The government must look at forcing manufacturers to put “repairability” scores on electric devices, opposition parties have said.
From next year, a scheme in France will label phones, fridges, lawnmowers and other items in this way to encourage more environment-friendly purchases.
The Liberal Democrats and Green Party want this to be tested in the UK, which has a higher level of electrical waste.
Ministers promised to “make it as easy as possible” to buy re-usable goods.
The government added that it was “seeking powers” to make companies more “resource-efficient”.
Environmentalists have long campaigned against electrical manufacturers employing “planned obsolescence” – limiting the lifetime of their goods so that replacements can be sold sooner.
A report published in the summer by the United Nations-backed Global E-Waste Monitor found the UK generated 23.9kg of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) per person.
This was the second highest recorded amount in the world, after Norway’s 26kg.
In an effort to cut its waste, from next year the French government will make manufacturers give smartphones, televisions, laptop computers, washing machines and lawnmowers a repairability rating of one to 10 – showing consumers how easily they can expect to get them mended.
Liberal Democrat environment spokeswoman Sarah Olney told the BBC her party would “welcome” a similar scheme being tested in the UK.
