[OKRA] E-scrap News on "Right to Repair"

[Ellen Bussert]

[image: image.png]
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.


[image: image.png]

Federal regulators say they will ‘restore the right to repair’
<https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2021/07/29/federal-regulators-say-they-will-restore-the-right-to-repair/>
Published: July 29, 2021
Updated: July 29, 2021
by Colin Staub <https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/author/colinstaub/>
[image: A smartphone being repaired with tools.]

*A policy statement includes several specific actions FTC will take and
other steps it is asking the public to take.* | *Alexey Kabanov /
Shutterstock*

The Federal Trade Commission last week pledged to heighten enforcement
actions on manufacturers that block independent repair of their products.

The commission, a federal agency tasked with focusing on consumer
protection and antitrust law, on July 21 approved
<https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/07/ftc-ramp-law-enforcement-against-illegal-repair-restrictions>
a
statement promising more attention will be placed on protecting independent
repair of electronic devices.

“By enforcing against restrictions that violate antitrust or consumer
protection laws, the Commission is taking important steps to restore the
right to repair,” the company stated in a release.

In the policy statement
<https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/1592330/p194400repairrestrictionspolicystatement.pdf>,
the FTC acknowledged enforcement of unlawful repair restrictions has not
been a priority for the commission for several years. Now, the commission
says it is devoting more resources to the topic.

“Restricting consumers and businesses from choosing how they repair
products can substantially increase the total cost of repairs, generate
harmful electronic waste, and unnecessarily increase wait times for
repairs,” the policy statement reads. “In contrast, providing more choice
in repairs can lead to lower costs, reduce e-waste by extending the useful
lifespan of products, enable more timely repairs, and provide economic
opportunities for entrepreneurs and local businesses.”

The statement came two weeks after President Joe Biden issued an executive
order
<https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2021/07/09/biden-issues-executive-order-on-right-to-repair/>
encouraging
the FTC to support right-to-repair policies. It also comes shortly after a
right-to-repair bill was introduced at the federal level
<https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2021/06/24/right-to-repair-bill-lands-in-congress/>
in
June, and after a state right-to-repair bill passed one floor vote in New
York state, the first time a bill has made it that far
<https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2021/06/17/right-to-repair-bill-clears-floor-vote-for-first-time/>
.

The statement includes several specific actions FTC will take and other
steps it is asking the public to take. For the public, the commission asks
that consumers submit complaints and provide information to help with
greater enforcement against repair restrictions.

FTC pledges to “scrutinize repair restrictions for violations of the
antitrust laws,” according to the statement. It also says it will look into
whether repair restrictions constitute “unfair acts or practices.”

Additionally, the agency pledges to “closely coordinate with state law
enforcement and policymakers to ensure compliance and to update existing
law and regulation to advance the goal of open repair markets.”

Prior to the unanimous vote, FTC Chair Lina Khan
<https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/1592358/p194400khanremarksrighttorepair.pdf>
 and Commissioner Rohit Chopra
<https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/1592354/final_chopra_prepared_remarks_on_right_to_repair.pdf>
issued
statements describing their support for the proposal. Among other points,
Chopra said the FTC process for the public to report repair violations
needs to be examined for improvement.

The policy statement comes after the federal agency in May issued a report
<https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2021/05/13/ftc-signals-support-for-right-to-repair-push/>
that
was critical of OEMs that restrict repair of their products.
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