The fight for the ‘right to repair’ has become a hot topic of discussion among nations worldwide in recent years. The movement stems from the early ages of computers in the 1950s and strives to encourage companies to provide their consumers and repair shops with requisite spare parts, tools, and information for fixing their devices. In doing so, the lifespan of electronic goods can be prolonged, reducing the amount of waste that goes straight to landfills.
Understanding the Right to Repair
The right to repair electronics refers to governmental policies designed to allow consumers to repair and modify their own electronic devices instead of having to rely solely on the manufacturers’ services. This concept was first introduced in the USA through the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act of 2012. The act mandated manufacturers to supply necessary documents and details to enable anyone to repair their vehicles.
Benefits of the Right to Repair
Adopting such laws would have several advantages. For example, smaller repair businesses could thrive, positively impacting local economies. It could also help minimize the massive amounts of electronic waste generated each year. Consumers could save money, and the laws would also contribute to the objectives of a circular economy by improving the maintenance, usage, recyclability, and waste management of electronic devices.
The pushback against Planned Obsolescence
Electronic manufacturers often promote a culture of ‘planned obsolescence,’ where devices are intentionally designed to have a limited lifespan before needing replacement. As a result, this puts immense pressure on the environment and contributes to natural resource wastage. Manufacturing electronics is heavily polluting as it mainly relies on environmentally damaging energy sources like fossil fuels.
Reasons for Opposition
Several large technology organizations, including Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Tesla, have countered this movement, voicing concerns about potential exploitation of their intellectual properties. They argue that allowing third-party repair services or amateur repairers access could jeopardize the safety and security of their devices.
Global Response to the Right to Repair Movement
The President of the United States has issued an executive order instructing the Federal Trade Commission to limit manufacturers’ restrictions that prohibit consumers from repairing their devices as they see fit. The UK has also implemented ‘right-to-repair’ regulations, making it significantly easier to purchase and repair everyday devices like televisions and washing machines.
The E-Waste Problem in India
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India generated over a million tonnes of electronic waste in 2019-2020, up from 700,000 tonnes in 2017-2018.
Indian Initiatives towards E-Waste Management
To combat the increasing problem of e-waste, India introduced the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016. These rules aim to recover or reuse useful materials from e-waste, reducing the amount of hazardous waste meant for disposal and ensuring the environmentally sound management of electrical and electronic equipment waste.
India also established an E-Waste Clinic, which focuses on segregating, processing, and disposing of waste effectively.
The Way Forward
In a country like India with often inconsistent service networks and scarce authorized workshops in rural areas, the right to repair law could prove invaluable. The informal repair sector in India already does a commendable job with makeshift solutions (‘jugaad’). However, the overall quality of repair and maintenance services could significantly improve if such legislation were adopted.
