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

Comments
Loading...

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.

See Also: Trump Vs. Biden: Latest Poll Results From 7 Swing States Show One Candidate Building On His Lead, As Economy Is Main Issue On Voters’ Radar

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.

Check out more of Benzinga's Consumer Tech coverage by following this link.

Photo by Kevin Khoo on Shutterstock

Read Next: Tesla Threatens Cybertruck Buyers With Lawsuit And $50K In Damages If They Opt To Sell Within A Year Of Purchase


Engineered by Benzinga Neuro, Edited by Ananya Gairola


The GPT-4-based Benzinga Neuro content generation system exploits the extensive Benzinga Ecosystem, including native data, APIs, and more to create comprehensive and timely stories for you. Learn more.


Overview Rating:
Good
62.5%
Technicals Analysis
66
0100
Financials Analysis
60
0100
Overview
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Posted In:
Benzinga simplifies the market for smarter investing

Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.

Join Now: Free!