Right To Repair
Californians Against Waste (CAW) continues to advocate for waste reduction and the recycling of organics through composting. The Right to Repair movement empowers consumers to fix their devices—either personally or via independent repair shops—by challenging manufacturer-imposed barriers such as restricted access to parts, tools, and repair information. These restrictions often lead consumers to replace devices unnecessarily, contributing to environmental degradation and increased electronic waste.
Why Repair?
The Right to Repair intersects with consumer rights, corporate accountability, and environmental sustainability. According to CALPIRG, California households spend an average of $1,767 annually on new or upgraded electronic devices. Without repair options, these replacements cost Californians approximately $5 billion each year.
From an environmental standpoint, Right to Repair is crucial in addressing the growing e-waste problem. Californians dispose of nearly 46,900 cellphones daily, many of which end up in landfills, leaching toxic substances like lead, cadmium, and mercury into the environment. By facilitating repairs, we can extend the lifespan of devices, reduce landfill contributions, and decrease emissions associated with manufacturing new products. Research indicates that if consumers collectively kept smartphones for just one additional year, the resulting emissions reduction would be equivalent to removing 636,000 cars from the road.
SB 244 – California’s Right to Repair Act
In October 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 244, the Right to Repair Act, into law. Effective July 1, 2024, this legislation mandates that manufacturers of electronic and appliance products provide consumers and independent repair providers with access to necessary parts, tools, and documentation on fair and reasonable terms. This requirement applies to products manufactured and sold or used in California on or after July 1, 2021.
Senator Susan Talamantes-Eggman has introduced various iterations of Right to Repair in the California State Legislature over the course of her legislative career. Her previous versions of Right to Repair were swiftly killed by industry lobbyists before they could gain traction in policy and fiscal committees. This year’s SB 244 has passed its policy committees in both the California Senate and Assembly, including a Senate Floor vote of 38-0, reflecting strong bipartisan support. The bill is awaiting a hearing in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
SB 244 requires manufacturers to provide the necessary parts, tools, and repair guides to a consumer or third-party repair shop upon request. If passed, SB 244 applies retroactively to consumer electronics and appliances dating back to 2021. This policy would be enforceable by the California Attorney General’s office, giving the state the power to penalize entities that are in violation of the act.
Read more about…
Tractor and Farm Equipment Right to Repair – CO
How to repair your own devices (it’s not as hard as you think!) – iFixIt
Key Provisions:
Coverage Duration:
For products with a wholesale price between $50 and $99.99: manufacturers must provide repair materials for at least 3 years after the product's last manufacturing date.
For products with a wholesale price of $100 or more: manufacturers must provide repair materials for at least 7 years after the product's last manufacturing date.crowell.com+6bhgs.dca.ca.gov+6reinhartlaw.com+6
Fair and Reasonable Terms:
Manufacturers must offer parts, tools, and documentation at costs and terms equivalent to those provided to authorized repair providers.
Documentation must be available at no charge, except when requested in physical printed form, in which case a reasonable fee may apply.
Tools must be available at no charge, with similar provisions for physical copies.perkinscoie.com+3bhgs.dca.ca.gov+3pirg.org+3
Exemptions:
The law does not apply to certain products, including:
Agricultural, construction, industrial, and forestry equipment.
Alarm systems and fire protection systems.
Video game consoles.
Enforcement:
The California Attorney General, as well as city and county authorities, are empowered to enforce the law.
Violations may result in civil penalties: $1,000 per day for the first violation, $2,000 per day for the second, and $5,000 per day for subsequent violations.
