Today, the New York state legislature passed a new piece of legislation aimed at covering "Right to Repair" when it comes to the broad scope of electronics.
The Fair Repair Act will require all manufacturers that sell "digital electronic products" to make tools, parts, and repair instructions available to both consumers and independent repair shops. Now that the legislation has passed both the NY State Senate and Assembly, the bill will be sent to the state's governor, who can decide to either sign or veto the bill.
New York is not the first state in the United States to pass legislation, but the legislation passed today has covered electronics broadly. In contrast, states like Massachusetts and Colorado also passed laws focused on the right to repair. However, the laws were particular on what type of repair rights were provided and did not specifically target electronics most people have and use daily, such as a smartphone.
"The Digital Fair Repair Act puts consumers first, levels the playing field for independent repair shops, and reduces our e-waste footprint on the environment," said assembly member Patricia Fahy in a press release.
As iFixit noted in a new blog post detailing the NY passing of the Fair Repair Act bill in the state legislature, the company notes that the passing of the law is "one giant leap for repair kind." Further noting that the law should make it "less expensive and more comprehensive."
Important to remember that the Right to Repair is not all about DIY repairs but rather the ability to have full control over the electronics you purchase. More specifically, having more control over the decision to either DIY repair or go to an independent repair shop and have the parts and resources made easily available.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
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The Fair Repair Act will require all manufacturers that sell "digital electronic products" to make tools, parts, and repair instructions available to both consumers and independent repair shops. Now that the legislation has passed both the NY State Senate and Assembly, the bill will be sent to the state's governor, who can decide to either sign or veto the bill.
New York is not the first state in the United States to pass legislation, but the legislation passed today has covered electronics broadly. In contrast, states like Massachusetts and Colorado also passed laws focused on the right to repair. However, the laws were particular on what type of repair rights were provided and did not specifically target electronics most people have and use daily, such as a smartphone.
"The Digital Fair Repair Act puts consumers first, levels the playing field for independent repair shops, and reduces our e-waste footprint on the environment," said assembly member Patricia Fahy in a press release.
As iFixit noted in a new blog post detailing the NY passing of the Fair Repair Act bill in the state legislature, the company notes that the passing of the law is "one giant leap for repair kind." Further noting that the law should make it "less expensive and more comprehensive."
Important to remember that the Right to Repair is not all about DIY repairs but rather the ability to have full control over the electronics you purchase. More specifically, having more control over the decision to either DIY repair or go to an independent repair shop and have the parts and resources made easily available.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
Continue reading...