Right to Repair in California: legislation tracker
Current status: Enacted.
California's position on Right to Repair (RTR) legislation as of May 2026:
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Bill / law | Right to Repair Act (SB 244) |
| Status | Enacted |
| Year enacted | 2023 |
| In force from | 2024 |
| Sponsor | Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D) |
| Coverage | Electronic products and appliances priced over $50 (manufactured after July 1, 2021) |
| Exemptions | Game consoles, alarm systems, certain industrial equipment |
Key provisions
7 years parts/tools availability for products $100+; 3 years for $50-$100. Must include independent shops + consumers. $1k-$5k daily fines for violation.
Industry response
Apple endorsed (first major manufacturer); Microsoft initially opposed
What this means for California consumers
As an enacted RTR state, California consumers and independent repair shops have legal access to manufacturer parts, tools, diagnostic information, and firmware on covered products. Manufacturers can no longer refuse to supply repair materials to non-authorised parties for products covered by the law.
How California compares
The five strongest US Right to Repair states (as of May 2026):
- California (SB 244) - electronics + appliances $50+, 7-year parts availability
- Oregon (SB 1596) - first state to ban parts pairing
- New York (S4104A) - first complete digital RTR law
- Minnesota (HF 1337) - broad electronics coverage
- Colorado (HB23-1011) - agricultural + wheelchair + 2024 electronics expansion
The single biggest driver of premature electronics disposal is the absence of affordable, accessible repair. Apple's own data shows that when out-of-warranty repair costs exceed 50% of replacement, consumers replace rather than repair. Right to Repair laws lower repair costs by:
- Forcing manufacturers to make parts available to independents (lower margins)
- Banning parts-pairing software locks (Oregon model)
- Requiring diagnostic tool access (any independent shop can diagnose)
- Setting minimum parts-availability windows (typically 5-10 years)
Per UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, the world generated 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022. RTR-enacted jurisdictions have shown 8-15% reductions in electronics-replacement rates within 24 months of law enactment, per the European Environmental Bureau's tracking.
Related resources
Sources
- California legislative database
- Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Right to Repair Tracker
- iFixit Right to Repair pages
- Repair.org legislative database
- UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024 (ewastemonitor.info)
Legislative status (January 2026)
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Jurisdiction | California |
| Statute / bill | Active - SB 244 (Right to Repair Act) in force from 1 July 2024 |
| Lead agency | California Attorney General + Department of Consumer Affairs |
| In-force date | 1 July 2024 |
| Last verified | 2026-05-20 |
Context and history
California Senate Bill 244 (Right to Repair Act) was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on 10 October 2023 and took effect 1 July 2024. It is the most consumer-protective US state RTR law: 3-year parts availability for devices $50-$99, 7-year for devices $100+. The law applies to all consumer electronics + appliances sold in California since 1 July 2021. California is the largest US market (~40M people, ~12% of US GDP), so SB 244 effectively sets nationwide manufacturer policy.
Key provisions
- Consumer electronics $50-$99: 3-year parts + tools + documentation post-sale
- Consumer electronics $100+: 7-year parts + tools + documentation post-sale
- Applies to devices first sold or in use in California on or after 1 July 2021
- Manufacturers must supply parts at "fair and reasonable" cost (no specific markup cap)
- Civil penalty: $1,000-$5,000 per violation, $10,000 for repeat violations
- Manufacturer-authorised repair providers cannot be charged unfair fees for parts
- Documentation must be machine-readable + freely accessible online
What this means for consumers in California
For purchases after 1 July 2021 in California: manufacturers must supply parts, tools, and documentation. Apple Self Service Repair operates throughout California. iFixit's Mahi or Pro Tech toolkits cover 99% of California-sold electronics. File complaints with California AG via oag.ca.gov/consumers.
Manufacturer parts-availability scoreboard
This scoreboard rates the top 10 consumer electronics manufacturers on actual parts availability in California as of January 2026, on a scale of 0 (no parts available) to 10 (full parts + tools + documentation freely available). Higher is better. Scores reflect direct manufacturer policies and on-the-ground availability through authorised + independent channels.
| Manufacturer | Parts availability score |
|---|
| Apple | 7/10 |
| Samsung | 7/10 |
| Sony | 7/10 |
| Panasonic | 8/10 |
| Sharp | 7/10 |
| Microsoft | 7/10 |
| Dell | 9/10 |
| HP | 9/10 |
| Lenovo | 9/10 |
| ASUS | 7/10 |
Real-world repair costs in California
For reference, typical 2026 out-of-warranty repair costs for the most common consumer electronics in California:
| Repair | Typical cost |
|---|
| iPhone screen replacement (current model) | £180-£260 / $220-$310 / €210-€290 |
| iPhone battery replacement (current model) | £90-£120 / $110-$140 / €100-€130 |
| MacBook Pro battery (M-series) | £180-£240 / $220-$290 / €210-€280 |
| Laptop SSD upgrade (NVMe) | £40-£140 parts + £30-£80 labour |
| Washing machine drum bearing | £180-£320 parts + £120-£200 labour |
| Refrigerator compressor | £280-£450 parts + £150-£250 labour |
If repair cost exceeds 60% of replacement cost, replacement typically becomes economic. Below that threshold, repair is the responsible choice - see the E-Waste Carbon Footprint Calculator for environmental comparison.
What to do if you can't get repair access
- Document the refusal in writing. Email the manufacturer's support requesting parts/tools/documentation for your specific device + serial number.
- Request a written response within 30 days. Required under most RTR regimes.
- If refused, escalate: file a complaint with your jurisdiction's consumer protection agency (see "Lead agency" above).
- Use third-party repair networks: iFixit (ifixit.com), uBreakiFix, Geek Squad, local independent shops.
- Consider replacement via the secondary market: see our Trade-In Best Price Finder for buyback rates on your existing device, and refurbished marketplaces (Back Market, Music Magpie) for the replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Does California let me use third-party parts for repair?
Where the law is in force (Oregon, Minnesota, EU after 2026, Colorado from 2026), yes - manufacturers cannot void warranty for use of third-party parts. Where no law exists (other jurisdictions), this is governed by manufacturer policy (varies) and federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (in the US) which prohibits tied-warranty clauses.
How long do manufacturers have to supply parts after they stop selling a device?
In Oregon and Minnesota: 7 years. In the EU under the 2024 RTR Directive: 5-10 years depending on category (10 years for white goods, 5-7 for consumer electronics). Most other jurisdictions: no statutory minimum - varies by manufacturer voluntary commitment.
What's "fair pricing" for spare parts under these laws?
Generally interpreted as comparable to the manufacturer's own authorised-repair channel pricing. Litigation in Oregon (2025) suggests price markups above 30% over manufacturer cost may breach "fair pricing" requirements. Final case law still developing.
Can the manufacturer use software to block third-party parts (parts pairing)?
Banned in Oregon (2024), Minnesota (2024), EU after 31 July 2026, Colorado from 1 January 2026. Permitted in jurisdictions without RTR legislation. Apple has been the main subject of complaints regarding parts pairing on iPhones (FaceID, battery, camera) - first compliance investigation in Oregon launched 2025.
What's the global trend?
Strong upward trend toward statutory RTR. France pioneered Repair Index labels in 2021. EU 2024 RTR Directive is the global benchmark. US states are progressively passing laws (Colorado, New York, Minnesota, Oregon, Massachusetts, Maine - 6 states with active legislation as of 2026; 11 more with bills pending). Australia, Canada, and Japan are at the consultation stage. The direction of travel is clear: by 2030, RTR will be the default in most developed markets.
Related guides
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This page is part of the eCycling Central Right-to-Repair tracker - covering all major jurisdictions globally. Last verified against primary sources on 2026-05-20. Operated by Defining Style Limited (UK Companies House 10572391, ICO Registration ZA711914).
