Today, Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Representative Joe Morelle (D-NY), and Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) introduced the “Fair Repair Act” to protect consumers’ right to repair their own electronic products.
As consumer devices have increased in complexity, the inability to repair a device without using specialized tools or software has limited the right to repair. Device manufacturers have often restricted access to repair tools, forcing consumers to use the manufacturer’s overpriced official repair channels or purchase a newer device. The bill further secures the right to repair by helping consumers gain access to the tools they need to actually repair their devices – and on the same terms that device manufacturers offer their own authorized repair contractors.
The following can be attributed to Patrick Gallaher, Senior Policy Advocate at Public Knowledge:
“The right to repair movement is about making sure that consumers can exercise their legal right to repair the devices they own. This bill helps consumers obtain what they need to perform repairs and access competitive repair services.
“Consumers should not have to throw away broken devices or overspend on pricey ‘official’ repair channels. The ‘Fair Repair Act’ recognizes that consumers have a right to repair the devices they own, and that practical and legal obstacles should not stand in the way.
“Ensuring that people can repair devices and use independent repair shops doesn’t just save them money; it has significant environmental benefits as well, reducing e-waste and carbon use. We commend Rep. Morelle, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, and Sen. Luján for leading on this issue.”
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.