Oregon recently joined the ranks of states implementing “right to repair” legislation, with Governor Tina Kotek signing the bill into law on Wednesday. Advocates assert that this legislation, aimed at addressing issues related to broken tech devices, establishes the strongest consumer protections in the nation. The law mandates that companies manufacturing cellphones and other consumer electronics must furnish the necessary tools and expertise for repairing these devices. Proponents argue that this move empowers consumers at a time when certain manufacturers have restricted who can carry out repairs.
While similar laws have been passed in at least three other states, Oregon’s legislation distinguishes itself in its approach. Notably, the law confronts the practice of parts pairing, wherein manufacturers deactivate certain device functions if repairs are conducted using unauthorized parts. This aspect of the bill has drawn opposition from Apple, a company known for employing parts pairing in its iPhones. Interestingly, Apple had backed a “right to repair” bill in California the previous year, which did not tackle this specific practice.
Oregon’s law is slated to take effect next year, with enforcement commencing in 2027.
