Customers can now freely repair or alter products; All you need to know about ‘Right to Repair’

The Department of Consumer Affairs on Thursday announced the ‘Right to Repair’ framework which is intended to consumers in the local market by harmonising trade between the original equipment manufacturers and the third-party buyers and sellers, while emphasising on developing sustainable consumption of products and reduction in e-waste.

The department has set up a committee which shall be chaired by Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.

What is right to repair?

The right to repair prohibits unfair anti-competitive practices by manufacturers and asks them to make sure that customers can perform repairs either on their own or with the help of a third party agency.

When we purchase a commodity, we automatically become its full owner. It is argued that the customers should have the freedom to easily and affordably repair and alter products without being subjected to the whims of manufacturers.

What are the sectors included under the right to repair?

The sectors identified include farming equipment, mobile phones/ tablets, consumer durables and automobiles/automobile equipment.

Concerns that necessitated its framing