Oregon has become the latest state to enact a right-to-repair law, with Governor Tina Kotek signing Senate Bill 1596 into law. The new legislation stands out for its provision that bans ‘parts pairing’, a practice that has been a significant hurdle for independent repair shops and DIY repairers.
‘Parts pairing’ is a method used by manufacturers that pairs specific parts to a device, preventing the device from functioning correctly if a part is replaced with a non-paired component. This practice has been criticized for limiting consumers’ ability to repair their own devices and forcing them to rely on authorized repair centers, often at a higher cost.
The new law in Oregon is a significant win for the right-to-repair movement, which advocates for legislation that prevents manufacturers from restricting access to repair information, tools, and parts. The movement argues that consumers should have the right to repair their own devices, and that independent repair shops should have equal access to the resources needed to perform these repairs.
The enactment of this law in Oregon follows similar legislation in other states and at the federal level, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of the right to repair in promoting consumer choice and sustainability.
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