Donation Programs Extend the Lifecycle of IT Assets
Public testimony on a proposed consumer electronics right-to-repair bill spanned two days in Oregon, with 19 favoring SB 542 and eight against it. The bill would require OEMs to make available to owners of consumer electronics or independent repair providers any documentation, tool, part, or other devices that the OEM makes available to authorized repair providers, including software and hardware.
The Right-to-Repair is a movement aiming to grant consumers the right to repair their own devices or to take them to third-party repair shops rather than be forced to go directly to the manufacturer for repairs. In the past, many tech giants like Apple and Microsoft have publicly lobbied against the movement but have changed their stance in recent years and even released unique versions of their own repair kits.
Twenty-seven people signed up to speak at the public testimony on SB 542, which took place on Feb.9 and Feb.14. The bill has seen much support and some pushback. Sen. Janeen Sollman, chair of the committee and sponsor of the bill, stated, “this is about the environment. This is about consumer protection and small business support. It is about your right to repair.”
She expressed her support for the movement on Feb. 9, “My belief is if you own it, you should be able to choose where and how you repair it, but all too often, the only option available to you is to have your device fixed through the manufacturer.”
Sen. Sollman also noted that previous attempts to pass right-to-repair bills for consumer electronics were too broad compared to the specificity of SB 542. The Oregon bill uses the phrase “fair and reasonable,” meaning that the documentation and tools would be provided at no cost unless there is a printing or shipping fee.
Though many have supported the bill, others have opposed it due to privacy and copyright concerns. Among those opposing the bill is Tara Ryan, representing clients like Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony. According to Ryan, right-to-repair bills pose a high risk to game consoles because sharing device information can enable more people to pirate games. Sen. Sollmon has been working with the Entertainment Software Association to resolve the issue.
The right to repair your own device may sound like a positive movement. However, repairing your own device can also be extremely dangerous. Most electronics today contain Lithium-Ion batteries, which can cause chemical fires if damaged. When it comes to device repair, it is best to leave it up to professionals trained to repair devices without damaging the battery. Third-party repair shops and some IT asset disposition facilities like HOBI can mitigate the risk of fire in a cost-effective, environmentally friendly manner.
With more than 30 years of industry experience, HOBI offers repair and refurbishment services, and remarketing opportunities for used devices. For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620, or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.
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