By Nathan Proctor
Right to Repair is based on a simple premise. People should be able to fix equipment they own, and the manufacturer shouldn’t be allowed to restrict who repairs that equipment. When the manufacturer has that control, and undermines competition on costs, convenience and quality, things go poorly
In addition to ensuring robust competition for repair of medical equipment, you can find examples where Right to Repair is needed across our economy.
The last few months have seen some important gains as Right to Repair laws have taken effect, while the FTC has taken new actions to support repair choice.
Celebrating Repair Independence Day
On July 1, Right to Repair laws took effect in California and Minnesota. California’s new law covers most consumer electronics made in 2021 and after, while Minnesota’s covers these products as well as business electronics such as enterprise computing. Together, Right to Repair supporters marked this milestone by celebrating Repair Independence Day.
Both the Minnesota and California coalitions held events, and Repair.org released a new guide to help people take advantage of their new rights, and know how to file complaints when those rights are denied.
These new laws give state attorneys general the ability to fine companies who do not adequately support repair for covered products.
FTC Warns Companies
On July 3, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned 8 companies that their warranty statements need to be corrected to protect consumers’ Right to Repair.
The letters, sent to aeris Health, Blueair, Medify Air, Oransi, InMovement, ASRock, Zotac, and Gigabyte called on the companies to remove “statements that consumers must use specified parts or service providers to keep their warranties intact” or stop placing “warranty void if removed stickers” on products.
Blueair and Oransi were identified in U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s Warranties in the Void reports for the issues the FTC raised in July. Our researchers found language in the warranties for these companies’ products that purported to void warranties for unauthorized repairs, something which is generally a violation of federal warranty law. In fact 45 of the 50 companies we surveyed either had terms in their warranties with these claims, or their customer service teams made these claims when asked.
Over the past six years, PIRG and its allies have pushed on the FTC to do more to address issues around warranties.
