‘Right to repair’ is big in America and could be coming here
Campaigners are pushing manufacturers to unlock some of the secrets of their devices.
Colorado has become the first American state to enact laws that allow wheelchair owners access to parts, software and manuals so that they can repair their own chairs.
It is seen as a victory for the growing “right to repair” movement that promotes people fixing their own stuff.
It’s been a long battle and manufacturers of goods including mobile phones and farm equipment are concerned it may flow on. They argue that their repair information and spare parts are proprietary and should not be shared with do-it-yourselfers.
But a growing number of DIYers, including people who live far from authorised dealerships, maintain they should be able to do their own repairs.
The Colorado law allows wheelchair owners and independent repair shops to access parts, tools and documentation to diagnose, maintain and repair the devices. But the law applies only to wheelchairs.
It came after wheelchair users spoke at committee hearings about waiting weeks for simple repairs — delays that could leave them in dangerous, bedridden situations.
One owner described having to buy third-party parts off eBay because the wait for an authorised repair was too long.
Colorado wheelchair user Bruce Goguen described in a recent interview how he needed to tweak his chair regularly.
Each tweak required a visit from an authorised technician, and there were often delays meaning he had to wait weeks for repairs.
Bruce and his wife Robin noticed that the repairers used specialised software in their work — and they requested access to the app. They were told that only the manufacturer or authorised vendors could have the app.
Eventually, they were granted access as a result of the right-to-repair law, which guarantees people can buy parts, tools and software at a reasonable price from the manufacturer. The hope is that it will empower both DIY repairs and independent repair shops.
“I have the right to walk into an auto parts store and buy components for my car,” said Matt Didsbury, the vendor who sold Goguen’s wheelchair.
“Why shouldn't somebody who has a piece of equipment … be able to acquire that necessary repair item as soon as possible? Why should we delay that for them as well?”
The right to repair does not exist in Australia but a campaign is being led by farmers who want to fix their own machinery.
Federal Competition Minister Andrew Leigh told the ABC he was “keen” to find a way forward and did not rule out heavy government intervention.
He likened the situation to the recent battle to repair motor vehicles, which resulted in a 2021 law that made it illegal for car companies to withhold information from qualified, independent mechanics.
A Productivity Commission report into right to repair found:
Consumers already have rights to have their products repaired, replaced or refunded, and to access spare parts and repair facilities, under consumer guarantees in the Australian Consumer Law. These should be improved by:
Introducing a new guarantee for manufacturers to provide software updates for a reasonable time period after purchase.
Expanding options for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to address breaches of consumer guarantees.
Requiring manufacturer to improve warranties so consumers are more aware of their rights.
Independent repairers should have greater access to repair supplies and increase competition for repair services.
Better consumer information about a product’s repairability or durability.
Related reading: Pew Trust, CPR, ABC, Productivity Commission
