Oregon has taken a major step forward in the right-to-repair movement by enacting one of the strongest laws in the nation that aims to empower consumers and independent repair shops. Governor Tina Kotek recently signed SB 1596, which will go into effect next year.
The new law requires manufacturers of electronics to provide access to genuine replacement parts, tools, and repair documentation to consumers and third-party repair businesses. This levels the playing field by preventing manufacturers from monopolizing repairs.
Crucially, Oregon’s legislation is the first in the US to ban the controversial practice of “parts pairing,” where manufacturers use software locks to prevent replacement components from working properly unless approved by the company. The law prohibits any tactics that could reduce functionality or display warnings about unofficial parts.
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Like similar laws passed in Minnesota and California, Oregon’s rules apply to phones manufactured after mid-2021 and most other electronics made from mid-2015 onward. However, certain product categories such as video game consoles and medical devices are exempt.
While lauded as a significant victory, consumer advocates acknowledge more work remains. “The exemption list is a map of the strongest anti-repair lobbies, and also of the next frontier of the movement,” iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens said in a statement.
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