The Right to Repair: Why Companies Don't Want You Fixing Your Own Stuff

For centuries, the ability to repair and maintain our possessions was a given. However, in today's world, many companies actively discourage consumers from fixing their own products, leading to increased waste and a culture of disposability. This article explores the reasons behind this trend and the growing movement fighting for the right to repair.

The Shift Away From Repairability

The Industrial Revolution brought about mass production and interchangeable parts, making repairs relatively straightforward. A faulty shower head gasket or a leaky washing machine hose could easily be replaced with readily available parts. But today, while interchangeable parts are still crucial for manufacturing, companies are implementing strategies to prevent consumers from performing their own repairs.

This shift has significant consequences:

Increased E-Waste: With limited repair options, consumers are more likely to discard broken items and purchase new ones, contributing to the growing problem of electronic waste. In 2022 alone, approximately 62 million tons of e-waste were discarded, containing billions of dollars' worth of precious metals.
Financial Burden: The inability to repair forces consumers to spend more money on replacements, benefiting manufacturers at the expense of their customers.

How Companies Prevent Repair

Companies employ various tactics to restrict consumer repairs:

Physical Obstacles: Using glue instead of screws to assemble products makes disassembly and repair more difficult.
Information Control: Limiting access to product information, schematics, and repair manuals hinders independent repair efforts. The example of iFixit compiling repair manuals for hospitals during the pandemic, only to face opposition from manufacturers like Steris, highlights this issue.
Parts Pairing: This involves assigning unique serial numbers to individual components like screens, batteries, or sensors. The device's software can then detect if these parts have been replaced and limit their functionality. Swapping screens on iPhones, for instance, can disable automatic brightness adjustment. Unauthorized replacements can even render the device unusable.
Software-Based Obsolescence: Manufacturers can use software to set predetermined end-of-life dates for devices, after which they no longer receive updates and gradually become unusable. This practice gives manufacturers unprecedented control over the products we buy.

These tactics are often seen as a form of planned obsolescence, where products are deliberately designed to fail to maintain demand and profits.

Company Defenses and Counterarguments

Companies typically offer two main justifications for restricting repairs:

Cybersecurity Risks: They argue that providing access to their software could create vulnerabilities.
Liability Concerns: They claim they could be held liable if a product malfunctions after a third-party repair.

However, reports from organizations like the US Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration have found little evidence to support these claims.

The Right to Repair Movement

The growing restrictions on repair have sparked a global movement advocating for the right to repair. This movement seeks to empower consumers and independent repair shops by:

Legal Action: Parts pairing and repair-limiting practices are being challenged in courts worldwide.
Legislative Changes: States like Colorado and Oregon have passed laws banning parts pairing.
Community Initiatives: Repair cafes, where people share knowledge and repair skills, are emerging in cities across the globe, fostering a culture of repair and sustainability.

Reclaiming the Right to Repair

The right to repair movement represents a growing awareness of the need to challenge corporate control over our products. By supporting this movement, consumers can promote sustainability, reduce e-waste, and regain control over the products they own. Embracing a culture of repair benefits both our wallets and the environment.