Toronto, Canada -- A bill that would enshrine the right to repair in U.S. law has been introduced to the Senate.
This week, the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act (the REPAIR Act) was introduced by its sponsors, Senator Ben Ray Luján, a Democrat from New Mexico, and Josh Hawley a Republican from Missouri.
The bill attempts to address ambiguities in U.S. law related to the right of repair businesses and aftermarket suppliers to receive access to data necessary to provide safe repairs. It would require manufacturers to allow motor vehicle owners and auto repairers to access all vehicle-generated data, critical repair information, tools and parts. It would also ensure over-the-air updates cannot be used to render non-OEM parts inoperable and would prohibit manufacturers from placing demands on what parts or tools are used to fix vehicles. These provisions would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission.
In his speech introducing the bill, Hawley said big corporate interests are gatekeeping information that belongs to car owners. “The bipartisan REPAIR Act would end corporations’ control over diagnostics and service information and give consumers the right to repair their own equipment at a price most feasible for them.”
“Vehicle owners deserve to have options when it comes to safe, dependable, and affordable auto repairs,” added Senator Luján. “Giving vehicle owners, independent repair shops, and aftermarket manufacturers access to vehicle repair and maintenance data is critical to improving repair options.”
The bill is also under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives, where it was introduced by Florida Republican Neal Dunn and Washington Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. Another 18 members of Congress have also announced they are backing the bill.
Should it receive support from the majority of members of both houses, the bill will become law. This could occur as early as the Autumn.
