Government may set up unified portal for repair of multi-brand gadgets and electronics

The government is reportedly planning to set up a unified portal for multi-brand gadget repair. According to a report in Hindustan Times, consumers will soon be able to access repair policies and technical manuals of a variety of gadgets, electronic devices and home appliances through a unified national portal. The report quotes a senior official aware of the matter. It further says that the consumer affairs ministry has written to leading consumer electronics companies to provide brand manuals, repair charges, service centres and overhaul costs, which will be accessible on this unified portal.
The announcement is in line with the LiFE (Lifestyle for the Environment) movement announced earlier this year, an initiative of the Department of Consumer Affairs. The move is a step for developing an overall framework for the Right to Repair. The LiFE movement calls for mindful and deliberate utilisation of products. The rationale being that when we buy a product, it is important that we own it completely for which the consumers should be able to repair and modify the product with ease and at reasonable cost, without being captive to the whims of manufacturers for repairs.

However, over a period of time it has been observed that the Right to Repair is getting severely restricted, and not only there is a considerable delay in repair but at times the products are repaired at an exorbitantly high price and the consumer who has once bought the product is hardly given any choice. Often the spare parts are not available, which causes consumers great distress and harassment.
The Department in this regard has set up a committee. The sectors identified include Farming Equipment, Mobile Phones/ Tablets, Consumer Durables and Automobiles/Automobile Equipment.
What this means for gadget users
The aim of developing a framework on right to repair in India is to empower consumers and product buyers in the local market, harmonise trade between the original equipment manufacturers and the third-party buyers and sellers, emphasise on developing sustainable consumption of products and reduction in e-waste. The issues that have been highlighted include companies avoiding the publication of manuals that can help users make repairs easily.
Tech companies may be asked to provide complete knowledge and access to manuals, schematics, and software updates and to which the software licence shouldn’t limit the transparency of the product in sale. The parts and tools to service devices, including diagnostic tools should be made available to third parties, including individuals so that the product can be repaired if there are minor glitches.