California is almost ready to turn the Right to Repair bill into a law. Also known as Senate Bill 244 (SB 244), California's Right to Repair Act has passed the state legislature with a 38-0 vote in the Senate and a 50-0 vote in the Assembly.
In line with a minor procedural vote, the bill has to go back to the Senate before it will be sent to California Governor Gavin Newsom for signature. State senator Susan Talamantes Eggman authored SB 244.
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An employee of the Love2recycle.fr recycling company repairs smartphones on November 7, 2014 in Brive, southern France. The company collects and repairs all kind of smartphones before bringing them to the market.
California Transforming Legislation Into Law
California is on the verge of transforming its Right to Repair bill into law. iFixit reported that SB 244 has already received state legislature approval and only awaits the governor's signature after it goes through a procedural vote in the state Senate.
With the unwavering support of Eggman and the cosponsorship of iFixit, a significant milestone was reached as the bill received overwhelming approval.
Distinguishing itself from the legislation enacted in Minnesota and New York, California's Right to Repair bill takes a notable step in preserving the viability of repairs for an extended duration.
Under this law, manufacturers are obligated to maintain the availability of repair resources, encompassing components, tools, software, and documentation, for a more extended period following the production phase.
Specifically, for products falling within the $50 to $99.99 price range, manufacturers must ensure these resources are accessible for three years, while products priced at $100 or higher necessitate a seven-year post-production availability commitment.
It is important to note that this bill is applicable to electronic and appliance products produced and sold after July 1, 2021. Kyle Wiens, the CEO of iFixit, was delighted with the passing of the bill in the state legislature, highlighting the shift away from manufacturers' repair monopolies.
He emphasized that accessible, affordable, and readily available repair services will benefit all consumers. Wiens said he would be "thrilled to see this bill pass in the state where iFixit is headquartered, which also happens to be Big Tech's backyard."
He pointed out that if the Right to Repair bill can gain approval in this tech-centric area, it will pave the way for similar changes in other areas.
Also Read: Apple's New Tool for Self Repairs Would Help Verify a Fix, No Need to Call the Apple Team
California's Right to Repair Act Gains Support From Apple
In a significant change of stance, Apple has now declared its support for California's Right to Repair bill. The Verge reported that this shift in Apple's position marks a notable development in the right-to-repair movement.
The tech giant has conveyed its endorsement of SB 244, a legislative proposal that mandates manufacturers to provide customers and independent repair shops with the necessary tools, manuals, and components to conduct repairs on electronic devices and household appliances.
During its keynote event on Tuesday, Apple emphasized the ease of repair to the iPhone 15 Pro and its user-friendly features. The new iPhone model reportedly has a redesigned chassis that will be easy to repair.
This move underscores Apple's commitment to making repairs more accessible and manageable for its users, marking a noteworthy aspect of the product's presentation.
Related Article: Apple Unexpectedly Backs the California Right to Repair Bill for Accessibility, Sustainability
