The Wear Index: An Open Specification for Objective, Machine-Produced Condition Grading of Used Consumer Electronics

Abstract

This draft specification proposes the Wear Index, an objective, machine-produced condition score for used consumer electronics. It defines a 0–100 composite score computed from images captured under controlled cross-polarized illumination and analyzed by a trained convolutional neural network. The specification includes three sub-scores (Display Surface, Housing & Frame, and Structural Integrity), fixed grade bands with mappings to common market vocabularies (including CTIA), a Device Condition Certificate format that binds scores to content-addressed evidence, three conformance levels for different adopters, and a clear validation methodology. Version 0.1 is published as a draft for public comment. It makes no performance claims and states its current limitations plainly. The goal is to create a transparent, auditable, and interoperable layer of trust infrastructure for the secondary electronics market and circular economy.