Repairability Index For Mobile And Electronic Sectors:
The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution hosted a National Workshop on the Right to Repair Framework for the Mobile and Electronic Sectors.
- It discussed the launch of a “Repairability Index” for mobile phones and electronic products to help consumers make informed decisions before purchasing them.
- The initiative aims to address the growing e-waste problem and encourage manufacturers to produce more easily repairable items.
- The workshop aimed to create a consensus among industry stakeholders on establishing a repairability index, promoting product longevity, and democratising repair information to enhance consumer experiences in reusing mobile and electronic products.
- It helps prevent the need for consumers to buy new products due to a lack of repair options or high repair costs.
- The discussions focussed on combating the practice of “planned obsolescence,” where manufacturers restrict access to essential repair information, repair manuals/videos, and spare parts.
- It highlighted that the lack of repair information and spare parts availability forces consumers to abandon their devices and buy new ones, or to seek risky counterfeit parts from grey markets (unofficial market).
- The sessions emphasised integrating international best practices from France, the European Union, the United Kingdom and designing products for longevity to enhance repairability.
- Discussions covered the importance of sustainable product design, ecological concerns, and the need to shift from a “use and dispose” economy to a “circular economy” and promote “mindful utilisation” over “mindless consumption.”
