Govt to launch portal for info on multi-brand gadget repair

THE PORTAL WILL EFFECTIVELY ROLL OUT THE CENTRE’S “RIGHT TO REPAIR” POLICY THAT WAS ANNOUNCED JULY

NEW DELHI: Consumers will soon be able to access repair policies, costs and technical manuals of a variety of gadgets, electronic devices and home appliances through a unified national portal where leading tech brands are being on-boarded, a senior official aware of the matter said.

The single-point portal will effectively roll out the consumer affairs ministry’s “right to repair” policy announced in July, ensuring that consumers and service providers have easy access to repair and maintenance information of their devices and appliances, including software and hardware.

The ministry has written to 23 leading consumer electronics firms, including Samsung, LG and Phillips, to provide brand manuals, repair charges, service centres and overhaul costs, which will be accessible on the unified portal, the official said.

When tech products falter, most consumers replace them because fixing faulty devices reliably is difficult. Often, manufacturers don’t reveal full servicing information, forcing consumers to buy a replacement.

The European Union (EU) too is in the process of enabling a “right to repair” option for fixing malfunctioning devices to cut down on a growing global junkyard of discarded devices.

The aim of the new framework on “right to repair” in India is to empower consumers and product buyers in the local market, the official said. It also seeks to harmonise trade between the original equipment manufacturers (OEMS) and third-party buyers and sellers.

“Farming equipment, mobile phones, tablets, consumer durables and automobiles, automobile equipment are among sectors that have been identified for the right to repair by the committee,” the official said.

The “right to repair” initiative could alter the landscape for tech maintenance, cutting costs for faulty devices. Unlike a car maker, mobile phone companies often don’t provide original repair options, forcing consumers to entirely replace malfunctioning parts or buy new ones.

“Once it is rolled out in India, it will be a game-changer for the sustainability of products and serve as a catalyst for employment generation through Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India),” the official added.

“In the West, this is an ongoing battle between firms and consumer right activists, with governments increasingly becoming sensitive to a demand for reliable repairs, not mere replacements of faulty parts,” said Sajid Ali of NGO Internet Consumers’ Forum.