{"id":390521,"date":"2026-02-02T14:55:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T19:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=390521"},"modified":"2026-02-02T14:47:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T19:47:36","slug":"right-to-repair-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/right-to-repair-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Right To Repair Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Right To Repair Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Right to repair laws require manufacturers to provide consumers and independent shops with the tools, parts, and manuals needed to fix electronic devices. These statutes aim to improve sustainability and reduce electronic waste by preventing companies from restricting repairs to authorized dealers.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

We live in a society where it has become normal for a consumer to replace an\u00a0electronic device<\/span>\u00a0that stops working with a new one. Not only does this become expensive for consumers, but it also takes control away from the consumer. In addition, by forcing so many consumer electronics<\/span><\/a> to become obsolete so quickly, manufacturers make it difficult to promote sustainability<\/span>.<\/p>\n

As sustainability<\/span><\/a> becomes increasingly important, the option to have an item repaired instead is growing in popularity. In some cases, such as with motor vehicles<\/span>, consumers can take their car, truck, or SUV to an authorized dealer for repairs.<\/p>\n

As a result of these issues, several states have passed \u201cRight to Repair\u201d laws. These require manufacturers to provide consumers and independent repair shops<\/span> with the information needed to make repairs themselves without voiding their product\u2019s warranty<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article examines and explains how these right to repair laws<\/span> work and discusses the practical aspect of right to repair legislation<\/span><\/a>. It also identifies which states have already adopted these laws and the current state of the right to repair movement<\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you have had difficulty getting a manufacturer or another member of the distribution chain to make the necessary repairs to your electronics, consider contacting a local consumer protection<\/span> lawyer<\/a>. They can review your situation and help determine the best course of action.<\/p>\n

What Are Right To Repair Laws<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

Right to repair laws<\/span> are relatively new laws<\/span> that require original equipment manufacturers<\/span> to share proprietary information with consumers so they can repair their own devices<\/span>. While only a handful of states have implemented this type of legislation, it seems like it is only a matter of time before most, if not all, states pass right to repair laws<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The purpose of right to repair acts<\/span> is to enable (and empower) consumers to repair their own electronic goods, rather than have to replace them. Before right to repair statutes, consumers had little choice but to buy new electronics the moment their old one stopped working properly.<\/p>\n

Not only did this cost consumers a lot of money, but it also put a kink in sustainability<\/span> efforts. Consumer rights<\/span> groups and lobbyists argued for change for over a decade, but it wasn\u2019t until 2022 that states began passing general\u00a0right to repair laws<\/span>.<\/p>\n

What Products Are Covered Under Right To Repair Laws<\/span>?<\/h3>\n

In most instances, right to repair laws<\/span> apply to electronic goods and devices. However, they also apply to other consumer goods<\/a> that have historically been less inclined toward repairability<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Some of the types of products commonly covered under state right to repair laws<\/span> include:<\/p>\n