Right to Repair in New York: legislation tracker
Current status: Enacted.
New York's position on Right to Repair (RTR) legislation as of May 2026:
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Bill / law | Digital Fair Repair Act (S4104A) |
| Status | Enacted |
| Year enacted | 2022 |
| In force from | 2023 |
| Sponsor | Sen. Patricia Fahy (D) |
| Coverage | Consumer electronics manufactured after July 1, 2023 |
| Exemptions | Home appliances, motor vehicles, medical devices, agricultural equipment |
Key provisions
Manufacturers must provide diagnostic info, parts, and tools to independent repair shops and consumers. Must offer assemblies if individual parts not available.
Industry response
Apple, Samsung, Microsoft significantly limited compliance via 'security' exemptions
What this means for New York consumers
As an enacted RTR state, New York 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 New York 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
- New York 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 | New York |
| Statute / bill | Active - Digital Fair Repair Act in force since 1 July 2023 (electronics only) |
| Lead agency | New York Attorney General |
| In-force date | 1 July 2023 |
| Last verified | 2026-05-20 |
Context and history
New York's Digital Fair Repair Act (S. 4104A) was the FIRST US state consumer-electronics RTR law to come into effect, signed by Governor Hochul on 28 December 2022. It covers digital electronics first sold or used in New York from 1 July 2023. New York's law is less aggressive than later California/Oregon/Minnesota laws (3-year availability vs 7), but it set the precedent that broke industry resistance.
Key provisions
- Applies to digital electronic equipment sold in NY after 1 July 2023
- Parts, tools, and documentation must be available for 3 years (was reduced from 7 in last-minute legislative changes)
- Excludes motor vehicles, home appliances, medical devices, government-only equipment
- Restricted to parts sets needed for "diagnosis, maintenance, or repair" - not arbitrary component access
- NY AG enforces - first action filed 2024 against three manufacturers for parts pricing
What this means for consumers in New York
For purchases after 1 July 2023 in New York: manufacturers must supply parts + tools + manuals. Apple Self Service Repair operates throughout NY. For complaints: NY AG Consumer Helpline 800-771-7755 or ag.ny.gov.
Manufacturer parts-availability scoreboard
This scoreboard rates the top 10 consumer electronics manufacturers on actual parts availability in New York 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 | 6/10 |
| Samsung | 6/10 |
| Sony | 7/10 |
| Panasonic | 7/10 |
| Sharp | 6/10 |
| Microsoft | 6/10 |
| Dell | 9/10 |
| HP | 8/10 |
| Lenovo | 9/10 |
| ASUS | 6/10 |
Real-world repair costs in New York
For reference, typical 2026 out-of-warranty repair costs for the most common consumer electronics in New York:
| 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 New York 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).
