After years of opposing the right-to-repair movement and lobbying against any repair legislation, Apple has seemingly changed its perspective entirely on consumers’ right to repair their own devices. Now, the tech giant has announced its support of federal right-to-repair legislation.
Apple first drew attention after the company announced support for California’s repair bill, SB 244, which requires manufacturers to make the repair resources, including software tools, available to independent shops and individual consumers on fair and reasonable terms. During a recent broadcast, Apple repair spokesperson, general manager, and company vice president Brian Naumann spoke alongside federal officials about federal right-to-repair laws.
“We think that there would be a real value in establishing a national standard,” said Naumann. Naumann also said that a federal law should maintain consumer privacy and data and security features, ensure transparency for consumers about the origin of parts used in repairs, and apply prospectively to allow manufacturers to focus on building new products that comply with the requirements.
Naumann also stated during the event that Apple would voluntarily extend the provisions in California’s law to consumers throughout the U.S.
Among federal officials on the broadcast was Lael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council, who stated, “Too often manufacturers make it difficult to access spare parts, manuals and tools necessary to make fixes. Consumers are compelled to go back to the dealer and pay the dealer’s price or to discard and replace the device entirely.”
CEO of electronic recycling and reuse nonprofit Repowered, Heather Walch, said during the online convening, “Our professional repair technicians have only been able to repair around 10% of recycled electronics, due in part to a previous lack of access to tools, manuals and parts at fair and reasonable prices. With greater access, we can increase that percentage significantly, taking electronic waste out of the environment and giving more options to consumers.”
Repairing electronics for reuse helps prolong the device’s lifespan and helps protect the environment by keeping retired electronics out of landfills. Device reuse maximizes the value of old electronics while providing a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new devices.
Device reuse is an important part of the IT asset disposition process, and ITAD facilities such as HOBI focus on maximum value for our clients and the best choice of action for the environment.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.