California governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed the Right to Repair Act, also known as SB 244, into law, marking a significant milestone in the fight for consumers’ ability to repair their devices or choose independent repair shops. The law will apply to all the electronics manufactured and sold after July 1st, 2021.
This legislation, co-sponsored by iFixit, has the potential to impact consumers in California and across the United States, given California’s prominence in the global economy, reported The Verge.
This Right to Repair is part of the growing wave of similar efforts in New York, Colorado, and Minnesota and in some regards, is stricter than others.
Under this new law, SB 244, manufacturers are required to provide necessary tools, spare parts, software, and documentation for seven years following the date of production of the devices that are priced above $100. This will cover most of the devices that we use in our daily lives.
For devices below $100, the availability should be for three years. These periods — seven and three years — will help counter the menace of premature obsolescence, thereby reducing e-waste.
California State Senator Susan Eggman sponsored the bill. “I’m thrilled that the Governor has signed the Right to Repair Act into law. As I’ve said all along, I’m so grateful to the advocates fueling this movement with us for the past six years, and the manufacturers that have come along to support Californians’ Right to Repair,” said Senator Eggman. “This is a common-sense bill that will help small repair shops, give choice to consumers, and protect the environment.”
“This is a victory for consumers and the planet, and it just makes sense,” said Jenn Engstrom, state director of California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG).
Not all device manufacturers were thrilled with this legislation but later came out in support. This includes Apple and other small manufacturers. Google Pixel 8 users will receive a seven-year spare part guarantee from the company, a period that matches the bill.
The bill has some exemptions for game consoles and alarm system technologies to ensure it aligns with industry-specific considerations.
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