World's First 'Right To Repair' Law For Digital Electronics Passed By New York State Legislature

The New York State Legislature in the United States has passed the world's first 'Right to Repair' law that would require digital electronics manufacturers to allow access to critical information and parts required by independent, local repair shops to complete repairs on most products.

The "Digital Fair Repair Act" passed by New York would require manufacturers of digital electronics like cellphones and computers to make diagnostic and repair information and parts available for sale to independent repairers.

"This will prevent manufacturers from creating a monopoly on repair services and forcing consumers to pay, often inflated prices, for repair exclusively through their repair division," said a statement released by New York Assembly.

The law will be a big boost for independent repair shops in New York as they will finally be able to compete with manufacturers, resisting the repair market consolidation that manufacturers have created by restricting access to parts and tools.

In a recent California survey, 59 per cent of independent repair shops said they might have to close their doors without the passage of Right to Repair.

The passage of the legislation has been hailed by self-repair groups like iFixit, calling it "one giant leap for repairkind".