Working Partner Update: Right to Repair - Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Happy Fifth Birthday to Right to Repair which has been fighting for our rights to reduce waste, save money and share skills.

Just five short years ago the Repair Association’s Right to Repair initiative took up the challenge of forcing manufacturers to allow independent repair through legislation. It was an audacious step fighting against many of the biggest names in the electronics industry.

Their biggest surprise — how many products not considered electronics are suffering the same crushing repair monopolies. Tractors, welding machines, irrigation controls, HVAC, and watches are newly impossible to repair.

See their recap of successes and an update on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (MMWA) which has been the law since 1975 – protecting consumers from having their warranties voided if they choose to use non-Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts or independent labor. Six major OEMS got notices to take down their violating materials — which is a great start but thousands of OEMS must do the same.

“Federal law says you can repair your own things, and manufacturers cannot force you to use their own repair services.”

See the Repair Association’s work at their website. See ILSR’s coverage of the Right to Repair movement here.

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