A Right to repair update – the French law is now in effect requiring repairability scores, and Apple has done it. The iPhone 12 scores a six out of 12, and the 11’s are lower between 4.5 and 4.6. MacBooks score between 5.6 and 7. The law is self-reporting, and is not perfect, but comes with fines next year for not reporting.
Meanwhile the new rules in place also focus on reducing e-waste. Manufacturers have to ensure replacement parts are available for up to 10 years. Some are only provided to professional repair companies. New devices have to come with repair manuals and made in a way that requires them to be dismantled using conventional tools.
Why do we care?
The EU is really leading on privacy and right to repair. The rest of us are getting the drag along benefits. It will make little sense for manufacturers to build different systems in different regions. It will be a good step to require it everywhere, but at least we’re getting the benefits over time.
Source: The Verge
Source: The Telegraph
Source: The Independent
