Right to Repair in India
Right to Repair portal
The Food and Consumer Affairs Minister introduced a host of new initiatives, including a right to repair portal.
Initially, mobile phones, electronics, consumer durables, automobile and farming equipments would be covered
Customers could either repair by self, by third parties, rather than depend on original manufacturers
What is it?
People are pretty used to this concept when it comes to older cars and appliances
Idea- If you own something, you should be able to repair it yourself or take it to a technician of your choice
It allows consumers the ability to repair and modify their own consumer products (e.g. electronic, automotive devices)
Right-to-repair advocates argue that modern tech, especially anything with a computer chip, is rarely repairable
Aim of the movement
No technical barriers
Access to critical components
Proper communication
Easy repair
Why is such
right significant?
Against planned obsolescence
Scarcity of natural resources
Lifespan enhancement
Exorbitant repair price
Boost to repair economy
Issues with
obsolete devices
Generation of E-waste
High cost to consumers
Recyclability issues
Unfair trade practice
Opposition to
the movement
Personal data security
Threats to device safety
Sheer casualization
IPR violations through reverse engineering
Right to Repair in India
Upholding Competition
Part of consumer welfare
Acknowledgment by agencies
Laws for recycle
Necessary and stated consumer right
Way forward
Sign a non-disclosure agreement to protect IP rights
Alloting certification/license
Making available the repair manual
Reparability parameter
Avoiding blanket waiver
Duration of product liability
Insert right to repair in Consumer protection Act