Centre nudges 112 top firms to sign up for 'right to repair'

The government has asked 112 companies across electronics, farm equipment, automobiles, and white goods sectors to ensure that consumers enjoy the right to repair their products, a top official said. The move aims to tackle the corporate malpractice of making products artificially obsolete.

- Puja Das & Gireesh Chandra Prasad

The list of companies includes Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt. Ltd, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, MG Motor India Pvt. Ltd, TVS Motor Co. Ltd, Havells India Ltd, Philips India Ltd, Voltas Ltd, Whirlpool of India Ltd, John Deere, Sonalika Tractors, Escorts Ltd, New Holland Agriculture, (Royal Enfield) Eicher Motors Ltd, Blue Star Ltd, BPL Ltd, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd, and Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd.

The move seeks to prevent the practice of some companies stopping supply of spare parts and servicing to force consumers to buy new products. Planned obsolescence as a trade practice is adopted largely by makers of electronic devices.

An electronic product that cannot be repaired, or falls under planned obsolescence, not only becomes e-waste, but also forces consumers to spend unnecessarily, the official quoted above said on the condition of anonymity.

“You (manufacturers) are making money because of consumers. So, take care of their interests. We are starting with electronics, farming equipment, automobiles and white goods. These are the sectors in which consumers face trouble the most," the official added.