US FTC to fight for ‘right to fix’

The US Federal Trade Commission will fight for the ‘right to repair’. In practice, this means that the FTC will encourage competition in repair markets and take action against illegal repair restrictions.

The five commissioners who direct the US trade authority voted unanimously to do so. The FTC will be stricter in the future that consumers must and are allowed to repair their own products. The watchdog also ensures that other authorities can monitor this better. It is a policy vision that is directed against ‘manufacturers’ measures to make it extremely difficult to repair their products’. The policy is also aimed at small shops and repairers. It should be easier for them to offer repair services.

The FTC previously published a report stating that more and more manufacturers were using different ways to repair devices. For example, they use glue, don’t provide tools, or don’t release diagnostic software. “Our policy states that such restrictions on device or product repairs have increased the burden on consumers and businesses,” the FTC writes. “In addition, manufacturers and sellers can hinder competition for repairs and thereby break the law.”

Part of the policy is also that consumers can file complaints about possible violations more quickly. The FTC is calling on Americans to do so online. The watchdog does not write exactly how the FTC wants to act in the future. It does say, however, that it has ‘a range of instruments at its disposal’.

Several consumer organizations such as iFixit have been fighting for years against the policy of manufacturers like Apple regarding repairs. The platform says it is happy with the FTC’s decision. “Manufacturers have been bullying consumers and destroying local repair shops for too long. This new policy is a milestone that changes that,” said CEO Kyle Wiens.