Right to Repair in Massachusetts: legislation tracker
Current status: Enacted (auto only); digital electronics pending separately.
Massachusetts's position on Right to Repair (RTR) legislation as of May 2026:
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Bill / law | Digital Fair Repair Act + Auto Right to Repair (Question 1, 2020) |
| Status | Enacted (auto only); digital electronics pending separately |
| Year enacted | 2020 |
| In force from | 2021 |
| Sponsor | Voter initiative |
| Coverage | Vehicles (telematic data); electronics pending |
| Exemptions | Auto law focused on telematics access for independent shops |
Key provisions
Vehicle manufacturers must provide independent repair shops with same diagnostic data they give dealers. Federal court upheld 2024.
Industry response
Auto industry sued (lost). Now compliant.
What this means for Massachusetts consumers
Without an enacted RTR law, Massachusetts consumers must rely on manufacturer goodwill, voluntary repair programmes, or federal protections (FTC RTR statement). Independent repair shops face restricted access to parts and diagnostic tools.
How Massachusetts 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
Why Right to Repair matters for e-waste
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
- Massachusetts 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 | Massachusetts |
| Statute / bill | Active - automotive (2012/2020 ballot); electronics bill pending |
| Lead agency | Massachusetts Attorney General |
| In-force date | Automotive: 1 January 2013 (telematics from 2024) | Electronics: HB 3409 pending |
| Last verified | 2026-05-20 |
Context and history
Massachusetts has the strongest US automotive RTR law (the 2020 ballot question won by 75% requiring car manufacturers to share telematics data with independent shops). Consumer electronics RTR has been introduced as HB 3409 (Pignatelli/Cabral) but remains in committee as of January 2026. Massachusetts AG signalled support but legislative timeline unclear.
Key provisions
- Automotive (2013): manufacturer must provide diagnostic data + parts to independent shops
- Telematics extension (2020 ballot, in force 2024): wireless vehicle data must be shareable
- Electronics (HB 3409 pending): would require 7-year parts + tools, modelled on Oregon SB 1596
- Existing Magnuson-Moss federal warranty rules apply to electronics
- MA AG actively investigating Apple parts pairing under existing consumer-protection law
What this means for consumers in Massachusetts
Until HB 3409 passes, electronics RTR in MA is governed by general consumer protection law (UCC implied warranty + Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act Chapter 93A). For automotive: Massachusetts shops have full diagnostic access under the 2013/2020 law. Apple Self Service Repair operates in MA voluntarily.
Manufacturer parts-availability scoreboard
This scoreboard rates the top 10 consumer electronics manufacturers on actual parts availability in Massachusetts 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 | 5/10 |
| Samsung | 5/10 |
| Sony | 6/10 |
| Panasonic | 6/10 |
| Sharp | 5/10 |
| Microsoft | 5/10 |
| Dell | 9/10 |
| HP | 8/10 |
| Lenovo | 9/10 |
| ASUS | 5/10 |
Real-world repair costs in Massachusetts
For reference, typical 2026 out-of-warranty repair costs for the most common consumer electronics in Massachusetts:
| 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 Massachusetts 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).
