iFixit, PIRG Petition FTC For Nationwide Right-to-Repair Regulations

In a bid to strengthen right-to-repair regulations, repair guide site iFixit and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group or PIRG have lodged a petition with the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC.

What Happened: The petition from iFixit and PIRG has pushed for a new rulemaking process for right-to-repair policies that impact electronics manufacturers. While several states have instituted right-to-repair laws, efforts towards nationwide reforms remain stagnant in Congress, reported The Verge. 

The latest petition urges for action that extends beyond state-level regulations. Among its propositions include the ease of component replacement in products and the prohibition of manufacturers requiring repair shops to disclose customer information.

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Elizabeth Chamberlain, iFixit's sustainability director, has called on the FTC to intervene on manufacturer practices that hinder repair, such as the use of proprietary screws and software blocks.

The petition also highlights the contentious "parts pairing loophole." This tactic, often allegedly used by companies like Apple Inc. AAPL, restricts repairs to parts originally manufactured by the company by digitally linking the components to the device.

It is known that the FTC’s rulemaking process is lengthy, necessitating input from the public and stakeholders. The agency has not yet committed to addressing the petition.

Why It Matters: The right-to-repair movement has seen various opponents, including Apple, which only recently came out in support of the bill in its home state California, leading to governor Gavin Newsom to sign the Right to Repair Act. 

However, now a Scientology church-owned entity, Author Services, has expressed opposition to the right-to-repair legislation. 

The company has requested that the government outlaw workarounds for software locks on its electronic meter.

The FTC’s decision on the iFixit and PIRG petition could potentially set a precedent for future right-to-repair policies, impacting both consumers and manufacturers. The issue continues to attract diverse opinions, reflecting the complexity of balancing consumer rights with manufacturer interests.

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Photo by Kevin Khoo on Shutterstock

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