Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has signed the state’s Right to Repair bill into law. The law includes a provision that sets it apart from similar laws in California and Minnesota – it prohibits the practice of “parts pairing.” Parts pairing requires the use of proprietary components for repairs, which can make it difficult for third-party repair services to fix devices with non-brand parts.
Under the new law, independent providers are now allowed to install off-brand parts for repairs. Manufacturers are also prohibited from reducing the performance of a device that has been fixed with unauthorized components. The law also bans error messages and warnings that may prevent the use of non-brand parts. However, the ban on parts pairing only applies to devices manufactured after January 1, 2025.
While companies like Apple have shown support for the Right to Repair movement, Apple expressed concerns about the security implications of using unauthorized parts for replacements. Despite this, the ban on parts pairing is now a firm rule under Oregon’s law.
Additionally, the law requires companies to make compatible parts available to device owners at favorable prices and without any significant conditions. They must also provide documentation on how to fix devices and any special tools needed for repairs to repair shops. The law applies to phones sold after July 1, 2021 and other consumer electronic devices sold after July 1, 2015.
