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Right to Repair
Context:Centre asked the automobile companies to join the unified Right to Repair Portal India which has been launched by the Department of Consumer Affairs.
About Right to Repair(RtR)
It would be mandatory for manufacturers to share their product details with customers so that they can either repair them by self or by third parties, rather than only depending on original manufacturers.
- Obligation to repair :The new rules ensure that manufacturers provide timely and cost-effective repair services and inform consumers about their rights to repair.
- Information on repair conditions and services:To help them assess and compare repair services (detailing the nature of the defect, price and duration of the repair).
Right to Repair Portal of Ministry of Consumer Affair
- This portal has a consolidated list of consumer care contact details of all major consumer products manufacturers for your quick viewing.
- The portal offers a centralised consumer grievance redressal mechanism, listing contact details from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to local district-level commissions, serving as a one-stop shop for customers seeking repairs and information.
- Find warranty and post-sales service information.
- Links to the service network of the brands.
- Sectors Covered:
- Farming Equipment e.g. Tractor parts,Harvesters.
- Consumer electronics eg Mobiles,Tablets.
- Consumer Durables eg Water Purifiers.WashingMachines,Refrigerators.
- Automobile equipment e.g. Passenger vehicles,2 wheelers , cars.
Significance of Right to repair
- The framework also aims to help harmonise the trade between the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), third-party buyers and sellers – thus revitalising the repair market and also creating new jobs.
- It will help reduce electrical waste (e-waste) and boost business for small repair shops, which are an important part of local economies.
- India generated around 16 lakh tonnes of e-waste in FY’22, of which less than one-third was recycled, the rest ending up in landfills.
- It will save consumers’ money and contribute to circular economy objectives by improving the life span, maintenance, re-use, upgrade, recyclability, and waste handling of appliances.
- It will give a boost to LiFE (Lifestyle for the Environment) movement through sustainable consumption :RtR policy can help achieve India’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2070 during its transition to a green economy.
International Practices
- The UK passed a law that includes all the electronic appliance manufacturers to provide consumers with spare parts for getting repair done either by themselves or by the local repair shops.
- Australia has repair cafes that are basically free meeting places where volunteer repairmen gather to share their repairing skills.
- The European Union passed legislation that requires manufacturers to supply parts of products to professional repairmen for a period of 10 years.
- USA has directed manufacturers to remedy unfair anti-competitive practices and asked them to make sure that consumers can make repairs, either themselves or by a third-party agency.
Challenges
- Manufacturer Resistance:Many manufacturers oppose right-to-repair laws, citing intellectual property and safety concerns often restricting access to spare parts, repair manuals, and diagnostic tools.
- Consumer Awareness:Low awareness among consumers about their rights and available repair options.
- Currently, it primarily serves as a collection of verified links and blogs for customers, offering no distinctive features that aren’t already accessible to tech-savvy users through basic online searches.
- Voluntary registration system limits the scope and depth of information available on the portal. GoI should collaborate with manufacturers to make it mandatory for them to register on the portal and provide repair-related information
- Technological Complexity:Modern devices are increasingly complex, making repairs difficult without specialised knowledge and tools.
- Environmental Concerns:Improper repairs can lead to increased e-waste and environmental harm.
Forward
- Manufacturer Collaboration:Encourage manufacturers to collaborate with independent repair shops and develop industry standards for repairs to ensure safety and quality.
- Inspired by global best practices, the RtR portal should implement a product repairability index. This index would inform customers about the ease of repairing a product, aiding in informed purchasing decisions and allowing for product comparisons across companies.
- As India aims to become a global manufacturing hub, balancing Right to Repair (RtR) legislation is crucial. Strengthening RtR laws must address consumer grievances without deterring foreign manufacturers concerned about intellectual property rights (IPR).