For about five years, Minnesota technologists, entrepreneurs, farmers, and environmentalists have campaigned for the “right to repair” act for electronics. But, unfortunately, there is currently no requirement for electronic and farm equipment manufacturers to offer repair shops with instructions, tools, or replacement parts. These resources are essential for quality repair. Keep reading to learn more about the right to repair act in Minnesota.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Minnesota is one of the 19 states currently discussing the right to repair legislation.
- The inability to repair gadgets because of the high cost of repairs makes it easy for the U.S to record high e-waste every year.
- Apple, Medtronic, Verizon, Caterpillar, and Toyota are against the right-to-repair bill.
Advocacy of Right to Repair Laws
One of the 19 states currently discussing the “Fair Repair” legislation is the state of Minnesota. The act, which commonly runs by the name “Right to Repair” law in several states. The law requires electronic companies to make available to consumers repair tools, parts, and manuals. The bill covers video game consoles, laptops, tablets, cell phones, and farming equipment. This is different from the right to repair bill in Massachusetts that covers automobiles.
Insider Tip
For about five years, Minnesota technologists, entrepreneurs, farmers, and environmentalists have campaigned for the “right to repair” act for electronics.
The Finance and Civil Law Committees of the House Judiciary passed the bill in 2019. In addition, advocates of the law believe that once the adoption of the legislation takes place, it will fuel job growth and positively impact the environment.
Why Manufacturers are Against the “Right to Repair” Law
The most common argument from the manufacturers is that they protect the quality of their devices and machines for safety reasons. But when you talk to buyers and users of this equipment, they argue that these companies are monopolizing the repair industry. This takeover makes repairs costly, difficult, and inconvenient to fix because of the time it takes to repair the equipment. On the other hand, environmental advocates believe that more smartphones will end up in landfills if owners dump their devices because of expensive repair costs.
Why Consumers Need the Right to Repair Law
When you look at refurbishing electronics, e-waste recyclers are having it rough when repairing some devices because of the unavailability of genuine parts. Since these companies cannot get the equipment parts from manufacturers, they have to wait for the correct part to get into the store.
Insider Tip
One of the 19 states currently discussing the “Fair Repair” legislation is the state of Minnesota.
Currently, most of the electronic repairs follow a hit-or-miss process that can cause more damage or make the gadget work properly. As a result, consumers will dispose of devices because of the unreliable repair process. In addition, the current system limits the number of repairable parts of a device.
For years, large tech companies have been fighting the right to repair law. Companies like Toyota, Apple, Verizon, Medtronic, Caterpillar are lobbying against the right to repair act 2017. This is the same case with the right to repair act in Nebraska. However, Apple is turning the page on giving more power to the customers to repair their iPhones.
Minnesota’s right to repair bill has a lot of support from the local community. In addition, the popularity of the bill across the country will change how people think about fixing their devices. With all the options people will have regarding device repairs, this move opens up many opportunities for consumers and independent repair shops.
F.A.Q.S
What is a repair economy?
The repair economy does not regard electronic devices as readily expendable. On the contrary, it promotes the long-term use of gadgets since accessing genuine parts and quality repair service is easy.
What is the fair Repair Act?
The Fair Repair Act demands OEMs to open up access to repair information, repair parts, and tools to device owners and third-party repairers. Once the power is in the hands of consumers on fair and reasonable terms, it will be easy to reduce the cost of repairs and ease the timeliness and access to quality repairs.
Does California have a Right to Repair law?
Yes. California is one of 20 states in the USA to consider making the right-to-repair bill into law. The motion’s sponsor was Susan Eggman, California’s State Senator representing parts of Stockton.
STAT: In a 2011 study, consumers can save 24% more with independent auto repair shops than dealers. (source)
