The FTC wants to hear your thoughts on right-to-repair legislation

iFixit and the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) petitioned the FTC (the Federal Trade Commission) to create new right-to-repair requirements at the end of last year. Now, the FTC wants to hear from actual consumers before it decides whether to draft rules in response to that petition. The FTC announced the request for public comments on Jan. 2, 2024, and the submission portal will remain open for 30 days. Anyone who’d like to comment can do so through the FTC’s online portal, and these comments will remain publicly available under the FTC-2023-0077 docket number.

The right-to-repair movement aims to make products more repairable and make those repairs more accessible. The idea is that if consumer electronics are easier to repair and replacement parts can be sourced, they can stay up and running for longer. This would reduce e-waste, save consumer dollars, and have other environmental benefits.

Up until recently, it was nearly impossible to get OEM replacement parts for independent repair from major companies, like Apple. That’s starting to change, with brands such as Apple and Google starting self-service repair programs. Google, in fact, has partnered with iFixit to sell complete repair kits for Pixel smartphones.

But there’s still a lot of work to be done. Some big companies have expanded independent repair offerings due to public pressure, but are not required to do so by law. That’s what iFixit and the PIRG are hoping to change by asking the FTC to draw up formal legislation. For the FTC to take action, it needs to see that right-to-repair is something that actually affects U.S. consumers, which is why it’s important to submit your comment.

iFixit believes your comments to the FTC might affect it’s position on right-to-repair

You can say just about anything in your statement to the FTC, but it should relate to your personal experiences with right-to-repair. Of course, you can oppose the creation of right-to-repair rules in your comments as well. If you aren’t sure exactly what to say, iFixit released a pre-written statement that consumers can submit expressing their support for the petition:

“The United States needs more Right to Repair rules. A lack of repair competition is hurting consumers and small repair businesses. Without national action to protect our repair rights, corporate repair monopolies will keep us wasting our own money, wasting our planet’s resources, and prematurely sending products to the dump. I support this petition and call on the FTC to take action!”

Otherwise, you can say whatever you like, but remember that comments will be posted publicly. Be sure to get them in by Feb. 2, 2024 to ensure the FTC considers them.