India proposes right to repair framework for mobile phones, consumer durables

India is considering introducing a right to repair law that would allow consumers to have their devices repaired by third parties to fight the growing culture of planned obsolescence.

The committee was set up by the Department of Consumer Affairs. Mobile phones, tablets, consumer durables, automobiles and farming were identified as important sectors by the committee.

The ministry said in a statement that the issues highlighted during the meeting include companies avoiding the publication of manual that can help users make repairs easily.

The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), as well as various consumer activists and organizations, are among the members of the committee.

The ministry said that the tech companies should give complete knowledge and access to manuals, schematics, and software updates and to which the software license shouldn't limit the transparency of the product in sale.

The ministry said that the parts and tools should be made available to third parties as well as individuals. There is a vibrant repair service sector and third party repairs in our country.

The framework for right to repair is being positioned to be helpful to consumers in the local market. The ministry said that the move could help reduce the amount of e-waste in the country.

It said that once it's rolled out in India, it will be a game-changer. Over a period of time, it has been observed that the Right to Repair is getting severely restricted, and at times the products are repaired at a high price and the consumer who has once bought the product is hardly given any choice.

Last year, the right to repair movement gained steam when the rules on securing repairability of devices were passed in the United States and the United Kingdom.

In March, the company introduced a self- service model for its devices. The self service repair program for the U.S. users of the newer iPhones was opened by Apple. The exact date when New Delhi will bring the right to repair rules is not known.