India's Repairability Index framework promotes the "Right to Repair" for electronics, empowering consumers with informed choices and reducing e-waste. This initiative combats planned obsolescence, promotes a circular economy, and creates economic opportunities. It addresses consumer grievances and aligns with global sustainability goals.
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Picture Courtesy: THE HINDU
The Union government has approved a report proposing a Repairability Index for mobile phones and appliances.
The Right to Repair aims to provide consumers and independent repair businesses with the freedom to repair their own products without ' restrictions.
The Repairability Index (RI), is a key part of the Right to Repair, evaluates how easily a product, can be repaired.
It aims to combat planned obsolescence, where products are designed to have limited lifespans.
It empowers consumers by providing the right to choose, a fundamental right under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
It create a competitive repair ecosystem, allowing local shops to offer affordable services, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
It promotes a circular economy model; efficient reuse and recycling of resources.
It supports "LiFE" (Lifestyle for Environment) movement by encouraging mindful use of products over wasteful consumption.
What are the steps taken by the Indian Government to promote the Right to Repair?
Framework for the 'Right to Repair' released by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) identified four sectors for initial focus: farming equipment, mobile phones and tablets, consumer durables, and automobiles and automobile equipment.
Right to Repair Portal launched by DoCA to provide consumers with easy access to repair-related information.
In 2024, DoCA established a committee, chaired by Shri Bharat Khera, to recommend a framework for a Repairability Index.
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Highlights of the Repairability Index (RI) Framework
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Manufacturers resist sharing repair information, tools, and access to parts, to protect intellectual property and business interests.
Concerns about data security and privacy risks, if unauthorised individuals or entities perform repairs.
Modern electronics are difficult to repair without specialised knowledge and tools.
Manufacturers express concerns about the negative impact on their revenue, if independent repair becomes widespread.
Informal repair sector operates outside the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and lacks formal social security nets for its workers.
Skill gap in various sectors, India’s Graduate Skill Index 2025 by Mercer-Mettl reveals that only 42.6% of Indian graduates are employable.
Dedicated legislation for Right to Repair, either through a separate act or amending the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Mandatory Repairability Index (RI) display at points of sale, e-commerce platforms, and via QR codes on packaging.
Expand repair technician training programs, formalize the informal sector, and establish repair hubs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and rural areas for quality repair services.
Launch public awareness campaigns, using platforms like the Jago Grahak Jago initiative, to educate consumers about their Right to Repair.
Strengthening and expanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, introduced under E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022, to hold manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products.
Conclusion
The Right to Repair aims to balance consumer empowerment, environmental sustainability, intellectual property rights, and manufacturer innovation, promoting a circular economy by reducing e-waste, promoting resourcefulness, resilience, and local economic growth.
Source: THE HINDU
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. How does the absence of a 'Right to Repair' framework contribute to the escalating problem of e-waste in India? Suggest measures to mitigate this environmental challenge. 250 words |
It indicates consumers have the freedom to get their purchased products, especially electronics, repaired easily and affordably by independent mechanics or themselves, without being forced back to the original manufacturer.
Manufacturers argue that sharing repair information and tools violates their IPRs, while advocates argue a balance can be struck to ensure repairability without compromising innovation.
By extending product lifespans through repair and reuse, it reduces the need for new resource extraction and manufacturing, thus closing the loop in material flows.
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