In a move toward enhancing consumer choice and reducing repair costs, Apple (AAPL.O) has announced its plans to make parts, tools, and documentation necessary for repairing iPhones and computers available to independent repair shops and consumers across the United States.
This initiative, confirmed by the White House, also includes Apple’s support for a national right-to-repair bill.
For years, Apple has faced criticism from consumer advocates who argued that their sleek devices were challenging and expensive to repair, with insufficient support for independent repairs.
In recent years, however, the company has shifted its stance, emphasizing the longevity and resale value of its products while simplifying repair processes and providing easier access to spare parts. Apple began distributing parts and manuals to select independent repair shops in 2019 and, in August, voiced support for the right-to-repair legislation in California.
Apple’s endorsement of a nationwide bill, potentially following the California model, aligns with President Joe Biden’s broader efforts to bolster competition and address actions that raise prices for consumers.
This latest move aims to empower consumers to exercise greater control over the repair of their possessions, from smartphones to tractors.
National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard announced this development during a White House event focused on the “right to repair.” Brainard urged Congress to pass legislation that mandates such measures throughout the country.
Currently, California, Colorado, New York, and Minnesota have already passed right-to-repair laws, and 30 other states have introduced similar legislation. Apple has expressed support for these state-level laws and has pledged to adopt a consistent approach at the national level.
The main issue at the heart of the right-to-repair movement is that manufacturers often hinder access to spare parts, manuals, and essential tools for repairing a wide range of items, from consumer electronics to wheelchairs and farm equipment. This has resulted in consumers facing high repair costs or resorting to discarding and replacing their devices.
Brainard highlighted the potential benefits of encouraging repairs, including an annual savings of $49.6 billion for American consumers and a reduction in the nearly 7 million tons of electronic waste generated annually in the United States. Moreover, it could provide a boost to small independent repair shops.
While Apple has been providing spare parts to repair shops since 2019, the California legislation also mandates the supply of diagnostic tools to these shops. Apple intends to implement a similar approach nationwide.
Despite this positive development, some consumer advocates remain cautious, as Apple’s past efforts to support repairs have sometimes included restrictions.
For instance, Apple had required repair shops to sign restrictive contracts that limited their ability to keep a stock of spare parts for more efficient walk-in repairs, making it challenging to compete with Apple’s in-house repair services.
Advocacy groups like U.S. PIRG, led by Nathan Proctor, will be closely monitoring the specifics of any federal legislation that emerges, emphasizing the importance of real-world experiences in evaluating the impact of these changes.
“It’s really going to depend on people’s experience in the real world – that’s what we care about. We’re going to keep watchdogging Apple and the other companies.” Proctor stated.
