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Wisconsin’s introduction of Right to Repair legislation this month completed a sweep across all 50 U.S. States, marking a significant turning point in a decade-long push for consumer repair rights. The bill, introduced February 13th, joins a growing wave of similar proposals nationwide, reflecting increasing pressure on manufacturers to craft products easier to fix.
The movement has already yielded results, with five states – New York, California, Minnesota, Oregon, and Colorado – enacting electronics Right to Repair laws. Similar legislation is set to take effect this year in Washington and Colorado, whereas proposals are under consideration in another 24 states, according to iFixit, a leading advocate for the movement.
The core tenet of Right to Repair is to grant owners and independent repair shops access to the parts, tools, and documentation needed to fix electronic devices. Advocates argue that manufacturers often restrict access to these resources, forcing consumers to rely on expensive official repairs or replace products prematurely. “There is no sustainability without repair,” said Gay Gordon-Byrne, executive director of the Repair Association of New Jersey. “Everything breaks, and unless you can fix it, it’s a throwaway — and all of the energy that went into building It’s wasted.”
The shift comes as the circular economy gains momentum, with a growing emphasis on extending product lifecycles and reducing waste. Jennie Romer, North America director of policy for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, noted a change in business attitudes. “We see that businesses are moving away from treating a product’s end-of-life as a liability,” she said. “Instead, they are looking at how upstream design — strategic decisions made regarding material choice, standardized components and product architecture — can preserve value through multiple lifecycles.”
The potential environmental benefits are substantial. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) estimates that extending the lifespan of the average American laptop by just one year would eliminate emissions equivalent to removing 250,000 cars from the road.
Several major tech companies have begun to respond to the pressure. Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Logitech have made adjustments, including designing devices with easily removable batteries and providing more accessible repair manuals. IFixit founder Kyle Wiens highlighted Apple’s iPhone 14 as a turning point, noting it was easier to repair than previous generations, with adhesives that are simpler to remove.
Logitech has taken a more proactive approach, partnering with iFixit to offer spare parts and repair guides for its products. Mohamed Abokersh, circularity program manager at Logitech, emphasized the importance of integrating repairability into the design process. “The goal was to institutionalize repair so that it becomes normal, repeatable and durable,” he said. This includes designing products with non-destructive openings, simple fasteners, and modular components that are easily replaceable.
The legislative landscape is evolving rapidly. California’s Right to Repair law, for example, carries escalating fines for non-compliance, starting at $1,000 per violation per day for first offenses and increasing to $5,000 for repeat offenders. Nathan Proctor, senior director of the right to repair campaign for PIRG in Massachusetts, warned companies against minimal compliance. “We’re definitely seeing some hostile compliance techniques, where companies are doing exactly the letter the law, but not the spirit of the law,” he said. “And I will just warn you, we have a track record of passing more laws.”
Beyond the U.S., the European Union’s Right to Repair Directive is set to phase in this year, requiring manufacturers to provide repairability information for smartphones and laptops. Canada recently amended its copyright law to allow consumers to bypass digital locks for repair purposes.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Activists continue to monitor companies for practices that circumvent the intent of the laws, and federal regulations in the U.S. Are still lacking. State attorneys general are expected to play a key role in enforcing compliance, according to Gordon-Byrne, who predicted continued momentum for Right to Repair legislation.
