From a post on The Regulatory Review: “When a printer malfunctions beyond the scope of a quick fix, or a smartphone screen cracks beyond use, consumers often have few options. Many manufacturers restrict who may repair the products they make and market, authorizing only a select few technicians. Such restrictions may subject consumers to longer waits and higher prices for repairs. The “right-to-repair” movement seeks to protect consumers by requiring manufacturers to permit third-party repairs and to make the tools, parts, and documentation necessary for repairs available to consumers and independent repair shops. Once a fringe advocacy cause, the right-to-repair movement has grown into a significant regulatory force, with seven U.S. states enacting right-to-repair laws since 2022 and an additional 33 states actively considering similar bills.” Read the full post, “Tinkering with the Right to Repair,” by Yu-Ching Chen, Liam LaMountain, and Nir Mitrani.
