New York has officially become the first state to pass a right-to-repair law. Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, the Digital Fair Repair Act will make it much easier for consumers to get their broken electronics and equipment repaired without having to replace it. According to New York state, the law will force original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide customers and third-party repair shops with “diagnostic and repair information” for their various products. The state hopes this new law will increase competition in the repair space while simultaneously protecting customers.
In a recent quote, State Senator Neil Breslin said, "This new Right to Repair law, the first of its kind in the United States, will not only provide greater choice and affordability for consumers if they choose to repair their electronic devices, but also significantly reduce the amount of electronic waste, while providing more opportunities for small businesses."
'Governor Hochul expanded upon that, saying, "As technology and smart devices become increasingly essential to our daily lives, consumers should be able to easily fix the devices they rely on in a timely fashion. This legislation will empower consumers with better options to repair their devices, thereby maximizing the lifespan of their devices, saving money, and reducing electronic waste."
