Published: April 2023

Support for California right-to-repair legislation

Consumer Action and allies wrote to the California Senate Judiciary Committee expressing support for SB 244—California legislation that would guarantee consumers’ right to make or seek repairs to their own electronics products independent of the device manufacturer.

Consumer Action and allies wrote to the California Senate Judiciary Committee expressing support for SB 244, the Right to Repair Act. The legislation would ensure that consumers have the choice to fix their own electronics-enabled products—either on their own or by a repair servicer of their choosing. Not only are today’s electronics, from smartphones to appliances, frequently designed in a way to intentionally prevent easy repair, but manufacturers often restrict access to the basic diagnostic information, repair tools and replacement parts needed to fix the products. Some manufacturers even put digital locks and disabling tripwires on devices to block third-party repair. These tactics force consumers to rely on the manufacturer, or the manufacturer’s handpicked servicer, to fix these products. The manufacturer is then free to charge whatever it wishes, or even to refuse to repair the product and force the consumer to throw it away and buy a new product. Repair restrictions hurt consumers, a fact recognized by President Biden, the Federal Trade Commission and state leaders (New York’s governor, in December, signed the first Right to Repair Act covering consumer electronics in the nation). Ensuring an effective right to repair will expand consumer choice in the marketplace, save consumers money and reduce waste. 

Lead Organization

CALPIRG

More Information

Click here to read the coalition letter. 

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