Oregon Signs Right to Repair Act
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Despite active lobbying by Apple Despite this bill, the state of Oregon passed a law right to repair, which completely prohibits the controversial practice of joining parts for repairs.
On Wednesday, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed SB 1596 into law. The legislation is designed to make it easier for consumers to repair their devices themselves or have someone repair them outside of an authorized service repair station.
In particular, this bill is the first of its kind to prohibit the joining of parts in pairs. “Part matching” is a term that refers to Apple's practice of matching certain components, such as the screen or battery, to the specific iPhone in which they were originally installed. This ensures that only genuine Apple parts are used when repairing your device.
Apple defends the practice, saying it is not designed to monopolize repairs, but to make repairs easier to access. It claims to provide the device — and his data — stay safe during repairs.
However, this practice is controversial. It limits third-party repair options and has been criticized for creating a closed ecosystem that limits consumer choice and potentially increases repair costs.
Critics argue that the practice hinders the right-to-repair movement by making it difficult for users to repair their devices themselves or through unauthorized repair services. It is also known for producing very large amounts of e-waste.
Currently there are seven parts that cause problems during repair.
As The Verge notes, the bill would also require companies to provide owners with the same parts, tools and repair documentation that repair shops provide. In addition, companies are not allowed to charge extra for them.
The law does not apply to phones sold before July 1, 2021. However, it does apply to other consumer electronics sold after July 1, 2015.
New York became the first US state. pass the Right to Repair Act, which is now law. However, it is so weak and vague that it is practically useless to consumers.
