Canada wants to enact repair rights into law

Canada, following the example of the US and the EU, is working on rules to include the right to repair for small electronics, such as smartphones, in law. There should also be a universal charging port for devices.

It’s in the budget on page 38 a paragraph about the initiative to create a universal charging port for telephones, cameras, laptops and tablets, among others. There is no exact list of devices. “The federal government will work with international partners and other stakeholders to explore the implementation of a standard charging port in Canada, with the goal of lowering costs for Canadians and reducing e-waste.”

The European Union has already gone further and has already made USB-C mandatory by the end of 2024 for all small electronics with a physical charging port. Other countries such as India are also considering such an implementation. The fact that more governments want a universal charging port will convince more manufacturers that products worldwide should have a universal charging port.

The budget also states the intention to include the right to repair in a framework of rules. That should happen next year. This is aimed at small electronics, such as smartphones. A consultation will start this summer and the rules should follow next year.