AT A GLANCE
New York
New York has enacted a Right to Repair law that expands access to repair information for certain digital electronic devices. The law requires manufacturers of covered digital electronic equipment to make diagnostic and repair documentation, tools, and parts available to device owners and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms.
New York’s Right to Repair law applies to many digital electronic products first sold or used in the state on or after July 1, 2023. While the law includes significant limitations and exclusions—such as for home appliances, motor vehicles, medical devices, and certain commercial or industrial equipment—it establishes an important baseline right for consumers and independent repair shops to access the materials needed to diagnose, maintain, and repair eligible devices. The law took effect in 2024.
$330
New Yorkers are expected to save an average of $334 per year by repairing phones, computers, and appliances instead of purchasing new ones, addressing the financial burden placed on consumers due to restrictive repair practices by manufacturers.
655,000
Every year in the state of New York 655,000 tons of toxic electronic waste is discarded, with about 85% of that ending up in landfills. Repairing products instead of throwing them away can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, which can help reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
Source: U.S. PIRG.
70%
There is overwhelming support for the Right to Repair in New York, with 70% of residents surveyed backing legislation that would require manufacturers to provide the necessary tools, parts, and information for product repairs, showcasing a public demand for more repair-friendly policies .
Here’s how this groundbreaking law stands to benefit consumers, the economy, and the planet:
Consumer Empowerment: New York’s Right to Repair law is a game-changer for consumer empowerment and financial savings. By breaking down the monopolistic barriers erected by manufacturers—such as proprietary parts and software locks—this legislation enables New Yorkers to choose their repair provider or to perform repairs themselves. This newfound freedom promises significant economic benefits, notably the potential for households to save money. According to the U.S. PIRG study “Repair Saves People Big”, repair could save at least $330 per household.
Beyond individual savings, this law fosters a competitive repair market, stimulating local economies and encouraging a sustainable culture of reuse over replacement. In essence, the Right to Repair empowers New Yorkers with the autonomy over their devices they rightfully deserve, making repairs more accessible, affordable, and beneficial for the environment.Repair Is Necessary and Popular: Consumer Reports reveals that an overwhelming majority of Americans (81%) have found themselves replacing items due to malfunction, and over half (53%) have done so earlier than anticipated, hindered by the difficulty in locating a satisfactory repair service. This frustration, coupled with the often prohibitive costs of repairs, has led a significant majority (84%) to endorse policies mandating manufacturers to provide access to repair manuals and parts to both independent technicians and owners alike.
This broad-based support underscores the public's desire for more sustainable consumption options and the empowerment to choose repair over replacement, reflecting a nationwide call for change towards greater repairability and longevity of products.Repair Benefits the Environment: The increase in electronic waste presents a significant environmental challenge. On average, Americans replace their cell phones every 2 to 3 years and their computers every 4 to 5 years, contributing to a cycle that demands intensive rare earth mining, generates greenhouse gas emissions, and produces hazardous waste. Every year, over 400,000 cell phones are discarded in the U.S., with thousands of these ending up in New York alone. Of these discarded devices, merely a third are recycled, with certain materials, like plastics, being non-recoverable. The remainder ends up in landfills, leaking toxic substances that pose risks to our health.
The solution lies in repairing and extending the life of our electronics. Despite this, manufacturers continue to push for annual upgrades, often designing devices to be difficult to repair. This business model of consumption and disposal is not just unsustainable; it disregards the energy, materials, and labor invested in producing these devices. Creating a future where we prioritize repairing, salvaging, and refurbishing our electronics is crucial for environmental sustainability. Adopting a circular economy, where resources are reused and conserved, is essential. Repairing electronics is a key step towards this goal, ensuring a healthier planet by reducing waste and conserving resources.
What’s Covered?
Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, Desktop Computers, Servers, Peripherals, Office Equipment, etc.
Televisions, Projectors, E-books, Home Entertainment Systems
Smartwatches, Smart Glasses, Fitness Trackers
Keyboards, Synthesizers, Amplifiers
Digital Cameras, Audio Devices and Equipment, etc.
What the law requires manufacturers to provide
Parts
Essential components available to fix any parts prone to wear or damage.
Tools
Specialized tools to perform maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs.
Documentation
Comprehensive instructions for routine care, troubleshooting issues, and repairing your device’s components.
What the Law Requires Repair Shops to Provide
New York’s Right to Repair law includes specific disclosure requirements for independent repair providers. These requirements are designed to ensure transparency for consumers—particularly around authorization status and warranty rights—without creating licensing or certification barriers for repair businesses.
Before repairing a device, independent repair providers in New York must provide customers with a written notice that includes:
Disclosure of Authorization Status: Repair shops must clearly disclose in writing, before performing a repair, if they are not authorized by the device manufacturer.
Warranty Information: A notice advising customers to review the terms of any applicable warranty and explaining that repairs performed by a non-authorized provider may affect warranty coverage.
Federal Warranty Rights: An explanation that warranties are governed by the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which prohibits manufacturers from requiring that repairs be performed only by authorized repair providers.
Limits on Warranty Coverage: A clarification that while damage caused by non-manufacturer parts or faulty repair work may not be covered, the warranty may otherwise remain in effect. This notice must be provided directly to customers and posted publicly at the repair shop’s place of business and on its website, if applicable.
Beyond these disclosure requirements, New York law does not require repair shops to obtain special licenses or certifications, follow manufacturer-mandated repair procedures, or implement specific data-handling or security protocols. The law focuses on transparency and consumer rights—not restricting who may offer repair services.
Key Dates
July 1, 2023
Applicable to products first sold or used in New York on or after this date
December 28, 2023
Effective Date
Penalties and Enforcement
Under New York’s Right to Repair Act, manufacturers are required to provide access to repair documentation, parts, and tools on fair and reasonable terms. Failure to do so—including imposing unreasonable costs, delays, or other barriers—may constitute a violation of the law.
The law is enforced by the state Attorney General, who may bring an enforcement action against manufacturers that knowingly violate the law, or reasonably should have known they were in violation.
Civil penalties can accrue up to $500 per violation.
If you believe a manufacturer is not complying with New York’s Right to Repair law, you can report a potential violation using the link below.
Resources
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Now that Right to Repair is the law of the land in New York, consumers can take advantage of a variety of resources. We’ve compiled a few to help get you started on your repairs. Expect more to become available as the law is implemented and manufacturers come into compliance.
DIY Repair
Repairing our stuff benefits the environment, the planet, and the local economy. It also benefits you personally! When you repair a device, you build confidence, learn patience, and develop a skillset that will help you repair more devices. Think of DIY repair as a learning opportunity. Practice makes perfect, and practicing repairs teaches design, engineering, and how stuff works.
Companies like iFixit offer free DIY repair manuals for tens of thousands of products. Manufacturers like Framework, Fairphone, Motorola, and HMD have also started to make DIY repair a core part of their product support.
FIND A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP
Repair jobs are local jobs, and thousands of locally owned and operated small and medium repair businesses have popped up in the last few years. Choosing a local repair business supports your local economy, and can save you money. Repair shops often are able to charge less than an authorized repair center through a manufacturer and they can fix what authorized repair can’t or won’t.
To find a local repair shop, use a local business directory in your community.
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Under the Right to Repair law, manufacturers are obligated to facilitate repairs. While this might appear overwhelming for some businesses, achieving compliance is straightforward. Manufacturers can readily extend the capabilities they offer to authorized repair centers. In cases where a manufacturer lacks a service center, several alternatives are available.
Build It From Scratch
Companies such as Fairphone and Framework have designed their products prioritizing ease of part replacement, making them naturally compliant with repair regulations. This approach is particularly feasible for new enterprises. Yet, for established corporations, initiating a repair-friendly platform can present challenges. The shift requires a cultural transformation towards openness and away from tight control, along with overcoming logistical and data management hurdles.
Use a third-party network
Apple's choice to partner with a third-party service for its Self Service Repair program illustrates another pathway, even if it deviates from the usual Apple finesse. Similarly, Samsung's collaboration with local repair services like uBreakiFix shows how outsourcing can effectively meet repair requirements—providing parts, tools, and guides without significant complications.
Create a Repair Ecosystem
For manufacturers interested in exploring how to build or enhance a repair ecosystem, further resources and guidance are available. iFixit, a leader in the repair community, offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to support manufacturers at every step of the process. From repairability assessments to technical documentation and parts distribution, iFixit's expertise can help manufacturers navigate the complexities of creating products that are both durable and repairable.
Learn more about iFixit's offerings and how they can assist your company in developing a robust repair ecosystem by visiting iFixit's website.