Timeline

Launch of UCL’s Big Repair Project to better understand household issues with the maintenance and repair of home appliances and electronics and to help shape UK ‘Right to Repair’ policy.

UK industry round table held by UCL and the Royal Academy of Engineering attended by appliance and electronics industry stakeholders, policymakers and academics.

New UK Right To Repair law is introduced as part of new Ecodesign regulations with the aim to extend the life of electronics and appliances.

US President Joe Biden signs an executive order calling on the US Federal Trade Commission to institute rules to curb anticompetitive restrictions that limit citizen's ability to repair gadgets on their own terms.

France’s ‘Repairability Index’ regulation comes into force with the aim of combating planned obsolescence in electronics and achieving a 60% repair rate of electrical and electronic products within 5 years.

UK exits the European Union. Process of writing repair related EU directives into UK domestic law continues.

France passes an ‘Anti-Waste Bill’ mandating that electronics manufacturers make a repairability index visible on their products. The index which initially applies to smartphones, laptops, TVs, washing machines, and lawnmowers, is presented as a score out of 10, with a higher number indicating a more repairable device.

27 US states investigate introducing Right to Repair legislation.

The EU Circular Economy Action plan sets out commitments towards circularity and resource efficiency in line with the European Green Deal and Industrial Strategy.

European Union's Green Deal contains several repair related intentions and targets.

Hearings are held in 20 US states for Right to Repair throughout the year.

The US Copyright Office broadens its Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) exemptions to include voice assistants, new phones, home automation systems, tractors, and most third-party repair.

The Digital Right to Repair Association www.repair.org is launched.

The US Copyright Office grants exemptions for tractors, cars, and tablets.

The first right to repair (also known as 'fair repair') legislation is introduced in the US.

The 'Unlocking Consumer Choice' Bill is passed and signed into law making phone unlocking legal in the US.

US Automotive Right to Repair Memorandum of Understanding is announced.

The first US Digital Right To Repair Bill filed in South Dakota.

Amendments to the US Clean Air Act require that every car be able to monitor its own emissions by 1996. A standardised car interface is needed, widening independent shop access to diagnostics and data.

The US federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act clarifies the definitions of warranties offered to customers by companies and aims to prevent companies avoiding their obligations under them. This includes voiding a warranty because a customer tried to fix the product, and the little stickers they use to do it.