Mobiles and tablets among sectors identified for regulation
In its first meeting, the Committee identified some of the challenges that funnel people toward new purchases over repairs – including companies that don’t publish their manuals, proprietary control over spare parts, and warranties that go void if you seek repair external to the manufacturer.The Committee concluded:
During the deliberations, it was felt that the tech companies should provide complete knowledge and access to manuals, schematics, and software updates and to which the software license shouldn’t limit the transparency of the product in sale. The parts and tools to service devices, including diagnostic tools, should be made available to third parties, including individuals so that the product can be repaired if there are minor glitches.
The Ministry drew on similar right to repair efforts in the US, UK, Australia and EU as evidence of the strategy's ability to succeed. "In USA, the Federal Trade Commission has directed manufacturers to remedy unfair anti-competitive practices and asked them to make sure that consumers can make repairs, either themselves or by a third-party agency."which, assuming it becomes law, will be the first US state legislation to address the repairability of electronic devices.in late May.