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