Right to Repair

Last updated: 4 April 2026

Right to Repair-what-it-means) is the legal right of consumers to repair their own electronic devices, including access to parts, tools, and documentation from manufacturers.

Last reviewed by Marcus Williams on 23 March 2026

The Right to Repair refers to the legal right of consumers to fix their own electronic devices by having access to necessary parts, tools, and documentation from manufacturers.

When you buy a new smartphone or laptop, do you feel like you're trapped into paying for repairs only through the brand's authorized service centers? That's where the Right to Repair comes in. It's all about giving consumers more freedom and control over their tech gadgets. Imagine being able to replace your iPhone battery yourself without having to go to an Apple store or pay a premium price. With the Right to Repair, companies would be required to provide the parts, manuals, and software needed for independent repair shops-and even individuals-to fix devices.

According to the UNEP, A single tonne of circuit boards contains 40-800 times more gold than a tonne of ore.

at a real-world example: In 2019, a group of farmers in Iowa couldn't fix their expensive John Deere tractors because the company prevented them from accessing diagnostic codes and proprietary software. This made it nearly impossible to get the machines running without shelling out hundreds or thousands for professional repairs. The Right to Repair aims to change this by ensuring that manufacturers can't use tactics like digital locks, encryption, or proprietary screws to prevent consumers from fixing their own products.

This movement isn't just about saving money on repairs; it's also about reducing e-waste. When people have the ability to fix what they break rather than replace it with a new product, fewer devices end up in landfills. For businesses, this means potentially lower costs and more sustainable practices. It's not just about repairing phones or laptops but also larger appliances like washing machines and lawn mowers.

The Right to Repair intersects with other e-waste concepts such as circular economy and extended producer responsibility (EPR). EPR requires manufacturers to take back their products at the end of their life cycle, while a circular economy focuses on designing out waste and pollution. By allowing easier repairs, we move closer to these goals by extending product lifespans.

According to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, The world generated 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022, up 82% from 2010.

In 2019, more than half of U.S. states had introduced Right to Repair legislation according to iFixit, an online community dedicated to repairable technology. This shows the growing demand for fairer and more sustainable tech practices worldwide.

So next time you're faced with a broken gadget, consider whether you might be able to fix it yourself-or push for laws that make it easier to do so.

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