By Nathan Proctor
For the last decade, Repair.org — working closely with my organization, PIRG, and others — has championed reforms to remove barriers from independent repair technicians and product owners that prevent people from fixing modern electronic products.
Model legislation, which requires manufacturers to make the parts, tools and information they use to facilitate repairs available, has been filed hundreds of times around the country, and has broken through over the last four years. Here’s my roundup of the latest, especially on our efforts to extend Right to Repair to medical devices.
RIGHT TO REPAIR LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN ALL 50 STATES
As of this year, all 50 U.S. state legislatures now have considered Right to Repair bills over the last eight years. Clearly, the idea is resonating with Americans from coast to coast.
“This is more than a legislative landmark — it’s a tipping point. We’ve gone from a handful of passionate advocates to a nationwide call for repair autonomy,” said Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit as we marked the milestone. “People are fed up with disposable products and locked-down devices. Repair is the future, and this moment proves it.”
If manufacturers were hoping Right to Repair was going to fade away, they sorely miscalculated. Currently at least 26 states have introduced or carried over legislation so far in 2025 (so far, there will be additional states that refile legislation over the course of the year).
VERMONT PUSHES FOR MEDICAL RIGHT TO REPAIR
In addition to progress on Right to Repair for other industries, our coalition continues to work to find a way to advance Right to Repair for medical devices — despite fierce opposition from the medical device manufacturers.
Vermont’s H. 160, put forward by Reps. Anne Donahue and Monique Priestley, would require manufacturers of medical devices to provide access to any repair documentation, parts or tools to health care facilities or independent service organizations. The impetus of the legislation is the increasing costs of running health care facilities in Vermont, and concerns about the loss of rural health care facilities.
NEW ORGANIZING EFFORT SEEKS TO UNITE BIOMEDICAL VOICES FOR RIGHT TO REPAIR
Over the last 5 years, PIRG has organized more than 600 biomedical professionals to back Right to Repair. This spring, we are launching a new effort to sign on supporting organizations, including hospitals, state biomedical associations and other entities. You can see our statement of principles, and sign as an individual or bring this letter to organizations you are a part of.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/BiomedR2R to find our letter.
