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Right to Repair

Whether manufacturers should be required to make products easier and cheaper for consumers to repair.

Left-leaning view

Right-to-repair laws reduce electronic waste and extend the life of consumer products.
Electronic waste is among the fastest-growing waste categories globally; advocates argue making repair easier and cheaper directly extends product lifespans and reduces landfill waste. The United Nations has estimated global electronic waste reaching tens of millions of tons annually, and advocates argue extending even average product lifespans by a year or two could meaningfully reduce that volume. Advocates argue this environmental impact is a concrete, measurable reason to support repair-friendly policy beyond consumer cost savings. They see waste reduction as a genuine public benefit of the reform.
Manufacturers shouldn’t be able to monopolize repairs to boost profits.
Critics argue some manufacturers design products or restrict parts and repair manuals specifically to push consumers toward costly official repairs or new purchases rather than third-party or self-repair. Advocates point to specific practices, like software locks that prevent third-party parts from functioning even when they're physically compatible, as evidence of deliberate design choices meant to limit repair options. Advocates argue these practices represent a deliberate business strategy that right-to-repair laws are specifically designed to counter. This is evidence the problem isn't accidental.
Independent repair shops create local jobs and more affordable options for consumers.
Independent repair shops, when allowed access to parts, tools, and diagnostic software, have been shown in several state studies to offer meaningfully lower prices than manufacturer-authorized repair centers. In states that passed right-to-repair laws for specific industries, like farm equipment, independent repair costs have in some cases been documented as significantly below dealer-only pricing for comparable repairs. Advocates argue this price gap illustrates the real, tangible benefit of independent repair competition for consumers. This is generally viewed as strong practical evidence for expanding right-to-repair laws more broadly.
Consumers who own a product should have the right to fix it themselves.
Advocates frame the ability to repair something you legally own as a basic property right, similar to the right to modify a car you've purchased. This framing draws a direct parallel to the auto industry, where independent mechanics have long had legal access to the parts and diagnostic tools needed to repair vehicles regardless of where they were purchased. Advocates argue this parallel makes the underlying property rights argument more intuitive and broadly relatable. They see consumer electronics as deserving the same repair rights already established for vehicles.
Restrictive repair policies disproportionately burden lower-income consumers.
Consumers with less disposable income are more likely to rely on repairing existing devices rather than replacing them, making repair restrictions a disproportionate burden on lower-income households, advocates argue. Advocates argue that a family choosing to repair rather than replace a phone or appliance shouldn't face artificial barriers that effectively force a purchase they can't easily afford. Advocates argue this disproportionate burden makes right-to-repair as much an economic equity issue as a consumer rights one. In their view, this is an underappreciated dimension of the debate.

Right-leaning view

Manufacturers argue proprietary repair processes protect product safety and security.
Manufacturers of complex electronics, including devices with batteries or sensitive components, argue that improper repairs by untrained individuals could create safety risks like fire or data security vulnerabilities. Manufacturers specifically cite lithium-ion battery replacement and internal electrical systems as areas where an inexperienced repair attempt could create a genuine fire or injury risk if not handled correctly. Supporters argue this safety consideration is a legitimate, good-faith concern separate from any profit motive. They see some repair restrictions as reasonable given the real risks involved.
Right-to-repair mandates could raise costs and complexity for smaller manufacturers.
Critics argue that requiring companies to publish detailed repair documentation and provide parts access could be a significant compliance burden, especially for smaller manufacturers with limited resources. Smaller manufacturers with limited legal and engineering staff, critics argue, could face disproportionately higher relative costs complying with detailed documentation requirements compared to larger competitors. Supporters argue this cost burden could meaningfully affect small manufacturers' ability to compete in the marketplace. This compliance impact is seen as a genuine unintended consequence worth weighing.
Companies have legitimate interests in protecting trade secrets and intellectual property.
Manufacturers argue some repair restrictions exist to protect proprietary designs and trade secrets that give them a competitive advantage in a crowded market. Companies argue that publicly disclosing detailed internal design information could make it easier for competitors to copy proprietary innovations they invested significant research funding to develop. Supporters argue this competitive protection is a legitimate business interest, not simply an excuse to limit repair. They see intellectual property protection as compatible with, not opposed to, reasonable repair access.
Unauthorized repairs could void warranties and create liability issues.
Companies argue that repairs performed outside authorized channels, using non-original parts, can create liability questions if a product later malfunctions or causes harm. This concern centers on cases where a non-original part later fails or causes damage, and companies argue they shouldn't bear liability for repairs performed entirely outside their oversight. Supporters argue this liability concern is a reasonable business consideration, not merely a pretext for restricting repairs. They see clear liability rules as necessary alongside any right-to-repair mandate.
Market competition, not mandates, can already push companies toward repairability.
Some manufacturers, facing public and regulatory pressure, have voluntarily expanded self-repair programs in recent years, which critics of mandates cite as evidence market pressure alone can drive change. Apple's and other manufacturers' recent self-repair programs are cited by critics of mandates as evidence that consumer and regulatory pressure alone, without new legislation, can shift industry practice. Supporters argue this voluntary shift shows mandates may be unnecessary if market and reputational pressure already produce the same outcome. This is evidence for a lighter-touch policy approach.

Sources

Wikipedia: Right to repair Electronic Frontier Foundation AllSides: Compare Left/Center/Right Coverage Pew Research: Internet & Technology

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