November 6, 2023 New consumer rights laws are being introduced in the U.S. and Europe to give consumers more power to repair their devices.

This is in response to a growing trend of manufacturers making it difficult or impossible for consumers to repair their own devices, which is leading to increased e-waste and frustration among consumers.

One of the main ways that manufacturers are making it difficult to repair devices is by using proprietary parts and software. This means that consumers have to go to authorized repair centers, which are often more expensive and less convenient than independent repair shops.

Another way that manufacturers are discouraging repair is by building in obsolescence into their products. This can be done by using low-quality materials or by designing products in a way that makes them difficult to disassemble.

The right to repair laws that are being introduced in the U.S. and Europe are aimed at addressing these issues. These laws would require manufacturers to make parts and repair information available to consumers and independent repair shops. They would also prohibit manufacturers from designing products in a way that makes them difficult to repair.

The sources for this piece include an article in BBC.