Even though it was a short session, this time around, Oregon still got some stuff done. Like passing and signing into law the strongest “right to repair” bill in the United States, Oregon Senate Bill 1596 — dubbed the “Right to Repair Act.” The law takes effect next year.
“As a tech industry leader, Oregon is no stranger to innovation. I’m proud that we’re moving forward on an innovation even more critical than a new gadget: the right to fix our electronic devices,” said Charlie Fisher, OSPIRG state director. “By eliminating manufacturer restrictions, the Right to Repair will make it easier for Oregonians to keep their personal electronics running. That will conserve precious natural resources and prevent waste. It’s a refreshing alternative to a ‘throwaway’ system that treats everything as disposable.”
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has now signed one of the strongest US right-to-repair bills into law after it passed the state legislature several weeks ago by an almost 3-to-1 margin. Oregon’s SB 1596 will take effect next year, and, like similar laws introduced in Minnesota and California, it requires device manufacturers to allow consumers and independent electronics businesses to purchase the necessary parts and equipment required to make their own device repairs.
Oregon’s rules, however, are the first to ban “parts pairing” — a practice manufacturers use to prevent replacement components from working unless the company’s software approves them. These protections also prevent manufacturers from using parts pairing to reduce device functionality or performance or display any misleading warning messages about unofficial components installed within a device. Current devices are excluded from the ban, which only applies to gadgets manufactured after January 1st, 2025.
“Apple agrees with the vast majority of Senate Bill 1596,” John Perry, Apple senior manager, Secure System Design, said in testimony to state lawmakers in February. “I have met with Senator Sollman several times and appreciate her willingness to engage in an open dialogue. Senate Bill 1596 is a step forward in making sure that the people of Oregon, myself included, can get their devices repaired easily and cost effectively.”
Unfamiliar with the conflict over right to repair? A Wikipedia entry on the topic puts it this way:
Right to repair refers to the concept that end users, business users as well as consumers, of technical, electronic or automotive devices should be allowed to freely repair these products. Four requirements are of particular importance:
- the device should be constructed and designed in a manner that allows repairs to be made easily;
- end users and independent repair providers should be able to access original spare parts and necessary tools (software as well as physical tools) at fair market conditions;
- repairs should, by design, be possible and not be hindered by software programming; and
- the repairability of a device should be clearly communicated by the manufacturer.
The goals of the right to repair are to favor repair instead of replacement, and make such repairs more affordable leading to a more sustainable economy and reduction in electronic waste.[4][5]
For more on Oregon’s efforts, see the roundup of coverage on Techmeme.
