In a bid to emphasize on LiFE (Lifestyle for the Environment) movement through sustainable consumption, the Department of Consumer Affairs has taken a significant step for developing an overall framework for the Right to Repair.
- The Department in this regard, has set up a committee which shall be chaired by Smt. Nidhi Khare.
Aim of right to repair
- The aim of developing a framework on right to repair in India is to empower consumers and product buyers in the local market, harmonize trade between the original equipment manufacturers and the third-party buyers and sellers, emphasize on developing sustainable consumption of products and reduction in e-waste.
- Once it is rolled out in India, it will become a game-changer both for the sustainability of the products and as well as serve as a catalyst for employment generation through Aatmanirbhar Bharat by allowing third-party repairs.
What is right to repair?
- The right to repair means customers no longer have to take their damaged or broken electronic products back to the original makers to get an authorized repair, and can instead fix things like phones or laptops themselves, or take them to lower-cost independent repair shops.
- Manufacturers are encouraging a culture of ‘planned obsolescence’.
- This is a system whereby the design of any gadget is such that it lasts a particular time only and after that particular period it has to be mandatorily replaced. When contracts fail to cede full control to the buyer-the legal right of owners are damaged.
Right to repair in world
- The right to repair has been recognized in many countries across the globe, including the U.S.A, U.K and European Union.
- In USA, the Federal Trade Commission has directed manufacturers to remedy unfair anti-competitive practices and asked them to make sure that consumers can make repairs, either themselves or by a third-party agency.
- In Australia, repair cafes are a remarkable feature of the Australian system. These are free meeting places where volunteer repairmen gather to share their repairing skills.
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