Apple supports Biden's call for right-to-repair legislation

Apple supports Biden’s call for right-to-repair legislation،

In August, Apple reversed course on its stance on the Right-to-Repair Act, expressing support in its home state of California. Now, the tech giant is doubling down on its support for the bill nationally.

After facing years of criticism for the difficulty and cost of repairing its devices, Apple, as reported Reuters, announced its support for a US bill on the right to repair. The move aligns with President Joe Biden’s broader initiative to boost competition and curb practices, such as “junk fees,” that drive up costs.

Apple’s commitment goes beyond just words: it’s committed to providing independent repair shops and consumers across the country with the parts, tools and documentation needed to repair iPhones and computers. This step could potentially set a precedent for other companies to adopt similar practices.

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan emphasized that restrictive practices in various industries not only increase costs for consumers, but also hinder innovation, limit opportunities for independent repair shops and contribute to waste unnecessary electronics.

Apple’s support for federal legislation and opening its products to independent repair shops mark a shift in its approach. Over the years, the company has increasingly focused on the longevity and resale value of its devices, while actively working to make repairs more accessible and replacement parts readily available.

Brian Naumann, Apple’s vice president of service and operations, emphasized that Apple believes a national law should balance repairability with factors such as product integrity, usability and physical security .

Lael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council, applauded Apple’s decision and urged Congress to pass national legislation. Some states, including California, Colorado, New York and Minnesota, have already passed their own right to repair laws, and 30 others have introduced similar legislation.

Brainard highlighted the potential for commitments from private companies like Apple to reduce costs for consumers and limit unnecessary waste in landfills. According to Brainard, allowing repair of consumer electronics could save U.S. consumers $49.6 billion annually and significantly reduce the nearly 7 million tons of electronic waste generated in the country each year, while stimulating small independent repair shops.

Although Apple has been providing repair shops with spare parts since 2019, the California bill also requires the provision of diagnostic tools. Apple has indicated it intends to take the same approach nationally as in California.