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India’s Push for a Repairability Index
The right to repair movement in India
Context: The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has submitted a report to the government proposing a “Framework on Repairability Index (RI) in the Mobile and Electronic Sector.”
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- Under this new framework, consumer electronics and electronic appliances will be assigned a score based on how easy they are to repair.
- This Repairability Index will evaluate products using criteria such as the availability and cost of spare parts, software updates, cost of repair, and the accessibility of repair information.
The Rising Importance of Repairing Products
- Older appliances, such as washing machines and air conditioners, used to last longer with minimal issues, unlike many newer products.
- While planned obsolescence is often cited, the reason frequently lies in: Corner-cutting by companies under pressure from rising metal costs and intense price competition.
- According to Attero Recycling CEO Nitin Gupta (2023, The Hindu):
- There’s a noticeable reduction in metal content in newer appliances.
- Shortages in metals like copper are leading to more fragile engineering choices.
- India is a net importer of metals, adding economic pressure to extend product lifespans.
Global Context and the Consumer Angle
- The need for easier and cheaper repairs is not unique to India.
- In the U.S., Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez proposed legislation requiring appliance manufacturers to display average annual repair and maintenance costs at the point of sale.
- She described long-lasting appliances as “durable wealth” because they reduce repeat expenses for consumers.
Environmental and Economic Imperatives
- Prolonging the life of appliances aligns with broader environmental goals, particularly the reduction of electronic waste (e-waste). Indian officials have championed the idea of a circular economy—a system in which parts and materials are reused within the production cycle instead of being discarded.
- While this concept has been discussed for years, implementation has lagged. By promoting repairability, the government aims to reduce demand for “virgin” metals, which are extracted through environmentally destructive mining processes, and instead encourage the reuse of existing resources.
- Additionally, the slowing pace of innovation in computing power—particularly in smartphones and computers—has further reinforced the need for longer-lasting and easily repairable products. Both ecological and economic rationales support the move toward consumer electronics that are more sustainable and cost-effective in the long run.
The Right to Repair Movement
- Globally, consumers have been rallying around the Right to Repair—a movement demanding that individuals have more control over how their devices are fixed.
- In India, the DoCA has already launched a Right to Repair portal that lists authorised service centres and repair documentation from various manufacturers. However, India’s interpretation of the Right to Repair is relatively non-confrontational.
- It supports the availability of authorised repair channels rather than challenging the monopolistic practices of manufacturers who restrict access to parts or penalise third-party repairs.
- In contrast, U.S. consumer groups have pushed for legislation to combat such practices, resulting in legal protections for customers who choose independent repair options.
- Notably, companies in the U.S. have aggressively opposed some of these laws, fearing a loss in repair-related revenues.
- For instance, McDonald’s franchisees are bound to use technicians from the Taylor Company to fix their frequently malfunctioning ice cream machines, illustrating the kind of restrictions consumer advocates aim to change.
A Collaborative but Industry-Dominated Framework
- The committee that drafted the RI framework in India comprised predominantly of industry representatives and electronics manufacturers. Despite this, the outcome may not fully align with the interests of the manufacturers.
- One of the committee members, consumer rights advocate and lawyer Pushpa Girimaji, has publicly criticised exploitative practices. She cited an example where a manufacturer refused to repair an old elevator, calling it a violation of the consumer’s right to choice.
- Girimaji supports key tenets of the global Right to Repair movement, including the recognition and inclusion of third-party repair services.
