Oregon has approved a groundbreaking right-to-repair law that prohibits the practice of 'parts pairing' by device manufacturers. This legislation marks the first of its kind, aiming to prevent manufacturers from restricting the use of specific replacement components for electronic devices.
California's Right to Repair Act, also known as Senate Bill 244 (SB 244), has passed the state legislature. (Photo: NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Pioneering Right-to-Repair Law to Combat Device Obsolescence
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has recently enacted one of the most robust right-to-repair bills in the United States, following its approval by the state legislature with a nearly 3-to-1 majority several weeks ago.
Oregon's SB 1596, scheduled to come into effect next year, joins similar legislation in Minnesota and California. It mandates that device manufacturers allow consumers and independent electronics businesses access to essential parts and equipment necessary for DIY device repairs.
Distinguishing itself from its counterparts, Oregon's regulations stand out as the first to outlaw parts pairing - a tactic manufacturers employ to block the functionality of replacement components unless sanctioned by the company's proprietary software.
Furthermore, these measures prohibit manufacturers from utilizing parts pairing to degrade device performance, limit functionality, or issue misleading warnings regarding unauthorized components installed in a device.
It's important to note that the ban on "parts pairing" applies solely to gadgets produced after January 1st, 2025, exempting current devices from its scope.
Advocacy, Impact of Right-to-Repair Legislation
Nathan Proctor, the senior director of the Public Interest Research Group's (PIRG) right-to-repair campaign, emphasizes the importance of empowering repair in the realm of personal electronics.
He underscores the significance of Oregon's pioneering Right to Repair law, which aims to prolong device lifespans and reduce electronic waste.
Similar to the legislation in Minnesota and California, Oregon's additional right-to-repair regulations have specific timelines and exemptions. These rules pertain to phones sold after July 1st, 2021, and other consumer electronics equipment sold after July 1st, 2015.
However, certain products, including those powered by combustion engines, medical equipment, farming equipment, HVAC systems, video game consoles, and energy storage systems, are exempt from Oregon's regulations.
iFixit underscores the importance of Oregon's right-to-repair legislation, pointing out that the exemption list indicates strong opposition to repair initiatives and signals future challenges for the movement.
Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, highlights the impact of the law, noting that it extends repair accessibility to essential items produced after 2015 in Oregon. Additionally, restricting parts pairing practices ensures ongoing repair opportunities.
Oregon's right-to-repair laws align with California's, particularly in compelling manufacturers to provide essential repair resources without high costs.
However, unlike California's law, Oregon's legislation does not specify a timeframe for this support.
Oregon's right-to-repair laws echo those of California, especially requiring manufacturers to supply consumers and repair facilities with essential repair resources without imposing high costs.
However, unlike California's regulations, which mandate this support for seven years post-production for devices over $100, Oregon's laws do not specify a similar timeframe.
