RIGHT TO REPAIR

Team – Walter White

Introduction
Real world examples of right to repair coming in use:

 Cost savings for consumers: Right to repair can save consumers money by providing access to affordable
repair options. For example, in 2018, Apple announced it would offer genuine iPhone parts, tools, and
repair guides to independent repair providers, allowing consumers to choose from a wider range of repair
options beyond Apple's authorized service centers, potentially resulting in cost savings for repairs.
 Empowerment of consumers: Right to repair empowers consumers by giving them the freedom to choose
where and how to repair their products. For example, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in the United
States protects consumers' right to repair by prohibiting manufacturers from voiding warranties for using
third-party repairs, giving consumers more options and control over their repair choices.
 Job creation and support for local economies: Right to repair can create job opportunities and support
local economies by promoting the growth of independent repair providers. For example, in the European
Union, the "Right to Repair" regulations, which came into effect in March 2021, are expected to create tens
of thousands of new jobs in the repair sector, supporting local economies and fostering entrepreneurship.
 Increased competition and innovation: Right to repair can foster competition and innovation by opening up the
repair market to independent repair providers and promoting innovation in product design. For example,
companies like iFixit, an online repair community and parts retailer, have advocated for right to repair and have
developed repair guides and tools, contributing to a competitive repair market and fostering innovation in the
repair industry.
 Improved product quality and durability: Right to repair can encourage manufacturers to design products with
better quality and durability as well as extend the lifespan of products, reducing electronic waste and promoting
sustainability. For example, the repairability of Fairphone, a smartphone designed with repairability in mind, has
been praised by environmental organizations for its modular design, which allows for easy replacement of
components, thus extending the product's lifespan and reducing electronic waste.
 Reduced electronic waste: Right to repair can help reduce electronic waste by repairing products and preventing
them from ending up in landfills. For example, in the European Union, it is estimated that repairing just 10% of
electronic devices could save 150 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2030, highlighting the potential environmental
benefits of right to repair. Tech Dump is an electronics recycling facility in Minnesota that also repairs and resells
old devices through its store, Tech Discounts. It processes between 3 million and 4 million pounds of electronics
each year, but can only fix and resell about 10% of the devices it takes in. “We have brilliant technicians, and our
team has figured out how to repair stuff without needing the repair manual from the manufacturer,” Tech Dump
CEO Amanda LaGrange told CNN. “We could scale much faster, we could repair much more, if we were able to
affordably access repair parts and affordably access repair manuals.”
Key mechanisms that can help in tackling the consequences
of implementing the right to repair:
 Safety and liability concerns: The argument made by opponents of the right to repair is that allowing
untrained people or independent repair companies to work on your products could endanger your safety or
cause damage that could put you in legal hot water. To address this, it's crucial to create rules and
requirements for repairs that put safety first and guarantee that those who perform repairs are properly
qualified and trained. To guarantee repairs are carried out safely and responsibly, this may entail putting
certification programmes into place, establishing safety standards, and granting access to repair
documentation and resources.
 Intellectual property and copyright issue: Some producers can claim that the right to repair might violate their
intellectual property rights because fixes might entail accessing confidential data or changing software.
Striking a balance between defending intellectual property rights and allowing repairs is crucial if this
problem is to be solved. To do this, it may be necessary to clearly exempt repair activities from intellectual
property and copyright rules, permit the use of third-party components or software modifications for repair
work, and define boundaries to prevent unlawful use of intellectual property.
 Economic Effects: Manufacturers may contend that the right to repair could have detrimental effects on the
economy, including lower sales of new products or more competition from outside repair companies. To
combat this, it's critical to highlight the economic advantages of the right to repair, including the promotion
of regional repair businesses, the creation of jobs in the repair industry, and the promotion of a circular
economy where restored goods can be resold or reused. In addition, manufacturers can modify their
business strategies to put an emphasis on robustness, quality, and repairability, which can boost client
retention and repeat business. The right to repair ideals have long supported the upkeep and repair of large
machinery and equipment in the construction and agricultural industries. There is a thriving market for
repairs and maintenance services, the creation of jobs, and higher customer satisfaction as a result of the
fact that many manufacturers in these sectors offer repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and spare parts to
enable independent repair providers to service their equipment.

 Equity and Access: It's critical to guarantee that every consumer, regardless of socioeconomic level or place
of residence, has access to the right to repair. Promoting economical repair choices, granting access to
repair documentation and resources in various languages, and addressing any discrepancies in repair access
in rural or underdeveloped areas may all be necessary to address potential equity and access issues. Making
sure the right to repair does not unfairly favour some groups over others or exclude others is crucial.
Companies that have adopted the principles of the right to
repair in their product design and business models.
 Fairphone: A startup called Fairphone develops and produces cellphones with an emphasis on ethical
material sourcing, sustainability, and repairability. In order to promote repairability and reduce electrical
waste, Fairphone builds its smartphones with modular components that are simple to replace or upgrade.
Additionally, they offer software updates, replacement parts, and service manuals so that customers may
repair their own devices, thereby extending the life of their own products.
 iFixit: iFixit is an American e-commerce and how-to website that sells repair parts and publishes free wiki-
like online repair guides for consumer electronics and gadgets. The company also performs product tear-
downs of consumer devices.
 Tesla: Tesla, an electric vehicle manufacturer, has taken steps to support the right to repair movement for
their vehicles. They provide access to repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and parts to independent repair
providers, allowing them to service Tesla vehicles. Tesla has also made efforts to design their vehicles with
modular components that can be replaced, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming repairs.
 HP Inc.: HP Inc., a leading manufacturer of printers and computers, has implemented initiatives to support the
right to repair. They have released repair manuals and service guides for their products, allowing consumers and
independent repair providers to access repair information and perform repairs. HP Inc. has also committed to
making spare parts and diagnostic tools available to independent repair providers, promoting repairability and
consumer choice.
 John Deere: John Deere, a major manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment, has taken steps to
support the right to repair for their products. They have introduced a program called "John Deere Performance
Upgrade Kits" that allows customers to upgrade their older equipment with new features and technologies,
extending the lifespan of their products and promoting repairability.
 Samsung: Samsung, a global electronics company, has implemented initiatives to support the right to repair. They
have released repair guides and resources for their products, and have committed to making spare parts and
diagnostic tools available to independent repair providers. Samsung has also taken steps to design their products
with modular components that can be replaced, promoting repairability and reducing electronic waste.

 Patagonia: Patagonia, an outdoor apparel and gear company, is known for its commitment to sustainability and
repairability. They promote repairability through their "Worn Wear" program, which offers repair services for their
products and encourages customers to repair and reuse their gear instead of buying new. Patagonia also provides
repair guides and resources on their website, and actively advocates for environmental policies that support
repairability and reduce waste.