Toronto, Ontario -- New right-to-repair rules will take effect in Quebec starting October 5, 2025.
The regulations, which were recently published by the provincial government, are meant to make it easier for consumers and businesses to fix products -- including cars -- by ensuring they have access to the tools, parts and information needed for repairs.
The rules are part of a broader law passed in a unanimous vote in 2023. It was aimed at stopping the practice of planned obsolescence, where manufacturers design products to break down after a period of time.
Under the new regulation, manufacturers must clearly state online whether they make replacement parts, repair services and maintenance information fully available, partially available -- or not available at all. If only some items are available, companies need to say exactly what is missing. That information must be easy to find, print and keep.
Retailers must also tell customers the same thing before a sale, whether in-store or online. If the product is sold online, the seller has to include a link to the manufacturer’s statement when possible.
The regulation also says that tools needed for repairs must be “commonly available.” That means either they must be provided free before or at the time someone buys the product, or they must be easy to order online, reasonably priced and delivered in a reasonable amount of time.
The rules ban companies from using design tricks or software that make repairs more difficult, unless it's required by law or needed to protect someone's safety. Importantly, manufacturers can’t deny independent repair shops access to repair tools or information by claiming it's a safety issue.
