New York state passes ‘right to repair’ law for electronics

New York becomes the first US state to pass the 'right-to-repair' bill covering electronics called The Fair Repair Act

The state of New York will soon pass the 'Fair Repair Act', the US' first 'right-to-repair' bill covering electronics which requires all manufacturers who sell their products within the state, to make tools, parts, and instructions for repair available to individual consumers and independent shops.

The bill is expected to be approved and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, and will take effect a year after it's passed as law.

iFixit, a self-repair group, has appreciated the proposed bill and called it “one giant leap for repairkind”. In a blog post, they wrote, "The passage of this bill means that repairs should become less expensive and more comprehensive: people who want to fix their own stuff can. Where before, manufacturers could push consumers to use manufacturer-authorized shops, now they’ll have to compete."

President Joe Biden issued an executive order to the Federal Trade Commission last year, to enforce repair rights, which had been applauded by many commissioners.

However, the New York state bill could be a stepping stone to changing how electronics are designed and maintained. The repair manuals will become available in the state and quickly all over the world as well.