Companies don’t make things like they used to, and that’s a big problem. Not long ago, most electronics were easily repaired with parts that were widely available. But more and more, manufacturers of cell phones, home electronics, medical devices, business equipment, appliances and even tractors have implemented legal, digital and physical barriers that prevent consumers from doing their own repairs or using independent repair shops.

The result is a massive amount of waste — in fact, electronic waste is now the fastest growing waste stream in the world.

“Right to repair” means a consumer’s legal right to freely repair their own electronic devices, appliances, or other products by accessing necessary parts, tools, and repair manuals, allowing them to fix their items instead of solely relying on the manufacturer for service, often advocating for easier access to repair information and parts even from third-party repair shops; essentially, the idea that if you own something, you should be able to fix it yourself or have it repaired by a technician of your choice. 

As of today, all 50 US states have introduced “Right to Repair” legislation, meaning that every state has considered bills that would require manufacturers to provide consumers with access to parts, tools, and documentation needed to repair their electronic devices.

Source: ifixit

https://www.ifixit.com/News/108371/right-to-repair-laws-have-now-been-introduced-in-all-50-us-states