Oregon Just Struck a Blow to Parts Pairing and Won a Decade of Repair Support

iFixit

March 27, 2024

Today, the US fight for our Right to Repair won an enormous victory: Oregon’s governor just signed an electronics Right to Repair law that not only protects owners’ right to get our stuff fixed anywhere we want but also limits the anti-repair practices of parts pairing. And it goes further back than any bill ever has before—for everything except smartphones, manufacturers must make parts, tools, documentation, and software available for products produced as far back as 2015. (For smartphones, the bill applies retroactively to July 1, 2021, the same date as the Minnesota and California bills that go into effect this July.)

The state House passed Oregon’s Right to Repair Act (SB 1596) on March 4 by a 42–13 margin. The bill passed the state Senate on Feb. 20, with a vote of 25–5. Today (Weds. March 27), it has been signed into law by Gov. Tina Kotek.

“I’m beyond proud of my home state for passing the strongest-yet electronics Right to Repair bill,” said Kyle Wiens, iFixit CEO, who grew up in Oregon. “By applying to most products made after 2015, this law will open up repair for the things Oregonians need to get fixed right now. And by limiting the repair-restricting practices of parts pairing, it protects fixing for years to come. We won’t stop fighting until everyone, everywhere has these rights.”

In its parts pairing and retroactivity provisions, the Oregon law goes beyond all that have passed so far. “Oregon has improved on Right to Repair laws in California, Minnesota and New York by making sure that consumers have the choice of buying new parts, used parts or third-party parts for their gadgets and gizmos,” said Executive Director of The Repair Association, Gay Gordon-Byrne.

Read the full article here: https://www.ifixit.com/News/92144/oregon-just-struck-a-blow-to-parts-pairing-and-won-a-decade-of-repair-support