California’s right to repair law is knocking on the state’s doors again. After introducing the right to repair legislation, California was the 20th state in 2019 to discuss the law. That was the second year the law was under discussion in the state.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Californians have an opportunity to guarantee their hospitals the right to repair medical devices like defibrillators, ventilators, and more.
- California was the 20th state to introduce the right to repair bill in 2019.
- Consumers in California are fighting for their right to tinker with their gadgets.
Susan Talamantes Eggman, a member of the assembly (D-Stockton), introduced Bill 1163, the “Right to Repair” bill, in September 2019. The bill will offer consumers the chance to fix their electronic products and gadgets at any service provider or repair shop. This move will create a competitive market that will make repairs cheaper and reduce the number of gadgets that end up in the bin. That is good news considering what happened with the batterygate scandal.
The Introduction of the “Right to Repair” Law
The right to repair bill is an amendment to the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, also known as Lemon Law. Since the law is unique to California, it requires companies to offer repair options to customers. So far, the law can help you get the necessary repair for your MacBook Pro by Apple. Unfortunately, this is a service that has not been accessible to people living beyond Arizona. Unfortunately, manufacturers are using the loophole in the Lemon Law to monopolize their repairs. But the current bill is closing that loophole.
Insider Tip
The right to repair bill is an amendment to the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, also known as Lemon Law.
The States Discussing the Right to Repair Law
California is now part of the 20 states fighting to legislate the customer’s freedom to tinker with their electronic gadgets. Other states include Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, Hawaii, Indiana, North Dakota, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Virginia, Washington, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and West Virginia. This list has the highest number of states discussing this legislation, just one number higher than the 19 states in 2018 that considered the Right to Repair law. It may also interest you to learn how DMCA exemptions are a major battleground in the Right to Repair movement.
Impact of Bill 1163
Consumers can comfortably choose the repair provider to fix their electronic gadgets. Increasing the option of independent repair service delivery will encourage consumers to fix their electronics instead of tossing out broken devices for new ones. As a result, people will also save money, become Independent repair providers, and reduce e-waste. The number of electronic products in landfills is currently a growing concern in the modern world.
F.A.Q.
When was the California right to repair act introduced?
On March 7, by Susan Talamantes Eggman. Once the bill passes, it will be easier for consumers to get their faulty electronic gadgets fixed with ease. Then, they would either fix them or take them to the closest repair service provider they prefer.
Why is right repair important?
The producers of dialysis machines, ventilators, and other critical medical equipment do not provide repair materials for third parties to fix these devices when they become faulty. With the right guides, tools, and parts, hospitals would not need to spend a lot of money on repairs. The Medical Right to Repair would ease the cost and accessibility of repairing these devices.
Why is Apple against right repair?
Trade groups and lobbyists representing Big Tech companies are fighting against the laws. Why? Their argument is rooted in the idea that people will damage the products and harm themselves when repairing the devices.
STAT: In 2016, The United States generated 6.3 million tons of e-waste. But the collected amount by the country was 22% of that total amount. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB605
- https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/nixing-fix-ftc-report-congress-repair-restrictions/nixing_the_fix_report_final_5521_630pm-508_002.pdf
- https://www.bar.ca.gov/pdf/BAR_Laws_and_Regulations_Reference_Book.pdfr
- https://uspirg.org/news/usp/california-becomes-20th-state-2019-consider-right-repair-bill
- https://states.repair.org/states/california/
