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Source- This post on Right to repair portal has been created based on the article “National Workshop on Right to Repair in Mobile and Electronics Sector to propose Repairability Index” published in “PIB” on 30 August 2024.
Why in News?
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) in India recently hosted a significant National Workshop focused on creating a “Right to Repair Framework” for the mobile and electronic sectors.
About National Workshop on the Right to Repair Framework
| Aspects | Description |
| About | National Workshop on the Right to Repair Framework was hosted by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA). |
| Objective | To bring industry stakeholders together to establish a consensus on developing a “Repairability Index.” |
| Key Discussions | The discussion highlighted the need for a Repairability Index: 1. This would provide a standardized way to evaluate the ease of repairing a product, encouraging manufacturers to design products that last longer. 2. Improving repair services could generate more jobs. 3. It also emphasizing “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India). This will give strong push for India to position itself as a leading center for repairing electronic products globally. |
| Challenges Highlighted | The workshop highlighted several issues in the repair and reuse of mobile and electronic products: 1. Many products are designed to fail after a certain period, forcing consumers to buy new ones instead of repairing them. This practice was criticized. 2. Consumers often don’t have access to essential repair information, manuals, or videos, making repairs difficult. 3. Repairing mobile and electronic products can be very expensive, leading to consumer dissatisfaction and delays in getting products fixed. 4. Due to limited availability of genuine spare parts, consumers may end up using counterfeit parts from unauthorized markets, which can be risky. |
About Right to Repair Portal India
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1. The Department of Consumer Affairs has launched the “Right to Repair Portal India,” which serves as a resource for consumers seeking repair-related information. 2. The initiative aims to give consumers more control over their products, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources to repair and maintain them effectively. |
| Launched by | Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MCA) on National Consumer Rights Day 2022. |
| Features | 1. The portal provides links to product manuals and DIY repair videos from companies’ websites and YouTube channels. 2. It addresses concerns about the pricing and warranty of spare parts. 3. The portal clarifies the differences between guarantees, warranties, and extended warranties. 4. Consumers can find details of service centers across India, including recognized third-party repairers approved by companies. 5. The portal includes information on the country of origin for products. |
| Current status | As of now, over 63 companies have joined the portal, including 23 from the mobile and electronics sectors, providing valuable repair information and access to authorized repairers and spare parts sources. |
Read more: The Right to Repair
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