The idea of consumers repairing their own devices has grown into a nationwide movement advocating that users have the right to repair their devices rather than going to an OEM. The Right to Repair movement grows in the tech industry as more companies announce their support. However, potential dangers remain an issue, including safe battery removal and potential battery fires. Industry experts have recently voiced positive feedback concerning self-repair but also mentioned the need for safety regulations.
Encompass CEO Robert Coolidge said, “Allowing consumers to repair their products gives them more brand confidence. It puts the decision-making back to the consumer, which I think is super important.”
As a result of inflation and the rising prices of technology, many consumers are choosing to keep their devices longer and turn to self-repair to save money. Third-party repair shops are also popular for those intimidated by making the repairs themselves. The primary issue was OEMs tending to withhold the parts, tools, and instructions for third parties to repair their electronics. This created a tremendous obstacle for those looking to repair their used devices.
According to Coolidge, “Manufacturers are sometimes very protective, but also are doing so because that’s the way they’ve been doing it forever.” Coolidge believes self-awareness is needed on the manufacturing side “to understand truly it’s a benefit to their brand.”
Coolidge believes that enabling consumers to repair the products they buy and keep them as long as they want builds vital brand loyalty. However, he also believes some repairs should be left to professionals, and additional safety of each repair should be clearly stated in legislation.
“Many consumers do not understand the repair manuals, and they do not have the technical abilities to complete the repair,” he said. “I think legislation needs to slow down a little bit and consider some of the manufacturers’ rights in protecting their intellectual property, and also the safety component.”
Though self-repair can save money, many things can go wrong. The right to repair encompasses several aspects of device repair, but self-repair is perhaps the most dangerous and should never be attempted without proper preparations. Every electronic device contains a battery of some sort, and most devices today are made with lithium-ion batteries. Batteries can swell and cause issues when they get too hot, but lithium-ion batteries are known to combust when damaged and cause large fires. Adding safety regulations in right-to-repair legislation helps consumers achieve the right to repair their devices while providing accurate information to help protect users from causing further damage or battery fires.
Additionally, Coolidge noted that manufacturers need to be involved in crafting legislation, as they are more qualified than lawmakers to understand which repairs are too dangerous to do at home. “Giving the consumer the right to fix what they buy, I think that’s important,” he said. “I also think if they’re going to push forward with this at the pace they’re going, they need to understand which segments they should focus on.”