Designers often strive to design products that enable the principles of the circular economy to be met. However, products are designed so that they cannot be easily disassembled.

Explain why some products are designed so they cannot be easily disassembled.

some products are designed with planned obsolescence (in mind) ✓
meaning products need to be replaced/consumers need to buy new products ✓
increasing sales/profits (for the company) ✓

some products are designed to prevent access to (internal) components/parts ✓
due to structural/mechanical/electrical/chemical risks ✓
to ensure safety/prevent possible injury ✓

consumers may attempt to repair/modify a product themselves ✓
using incorrect techniques/incompatible components ✓
which can impair the performance/function/quality of the product ✓

Award [1] for each of three distinct points in an explanation of why products may be designed so that they cannot be easily disassembled of up to [3 max].

Answer in brackets is not required to award the mark

Do not award marks across clusters

A fairly straightforward question that still saw many candidates unable to achieve full marks. A number of responses crossed clusters. The best responses were from the first cluster of the markscheme. Most candidates understood the concept of disassembly but may have been confused by the reference to circular economy in the question. Some answers referred to re-use of parts, recycling, preventing imitation/protecting the design or companies monopolizing the market/enforcing consumers to return for service/repair.