Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said signed the bill on the state’s Right to Repairand even comes with a provision that potentially makes it more powerful of California and Minnesota versions. This to ban first (PDF) practice called “parts pairing,” which requires the use of certain proprietary components for repairs. Part pairing prevents third-party repair services from replacing a failed component with an off-brand component, as it will not work with the company’s software. People usually get error messages if they try to install an unauthorized part and are forced to buy it from the company itself.
Under the new rules, preventing an independent provider from installing off-brand parts is prohibited. Like reducing the performance of a device modified with an unauthorized component. Even these error messages and warnings are not allowed. The parts pairing ban does not cover devices that are already manufactured and will only apply to anything manufactured after January 1, 2025.
Manufacturers like Apple seem to have changed their tune in recent years and now generally supports Right to Repair movement, Oregon’s parts pairing provision was still a point of contention. Apple CEO John Perry said in a statement to lawmakers that the company “overwhelmingly agrees with Senate Bill 1596.” However, he also worries security implications of allowing the use of unauthorized parts such as biometric sensors for replacement.
Regardless, the ban on parts bundling is a rule under Oregon law, along with making compatible parts available to device owners through the company or authorized service providers at affordable prices and with no “significant” conditions. Companies are also required to provide repair shops with documentation on how to repair their devices, as well as any special tools needed to repair them. These rules will apply to all phones sold after July 1, 2021, and other consumer electronic devices sold after July 1, 2015.
