Today, Assemblymember Monica Wallace (D-Lancaster) called for passage of the groundbreaking Digital Fair Repair Act (A7006B), which requires manufacturers to provide consumers with repair information for digital devices. The legislation is the first of its kind in the nation. Wallace co-sponsored the legislation and helped lead efforts to pass it. The legislation passed both houses with overwhelming support and will be sent to Governor Hochul for her consideration.

“Every cell phone owner has experienced the frustration of trying to get your device fixed by the manufacturer,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “This legislation allows consumers to bypass the manufacturer and take their device to a local repair shop that might be able to fix it cheaper and more quickly.”

Large technology manufacturers have long intentionally limited the ability of third parties to repair their devices, requiring consumers to seek repairs exclusively through the company’s own repair division or through authorized repairers. This has resulted in less competition, increased costs for repairs, and a weaker market for used electronics. Oftentimes, the cost of repair is prohibitive, and consumers choose to purchase new devices, which generates more e-waste.

“The passing of the Digital Fair Repair Act is especially critical in order for small independent shops like iRepair Buffalo to continue offering affordable repairs to consumers, and for the prolonged life of salvageable electronics that will otherwise become e-waste,” said Jay Abbott, owner of iRepair. “As manufacturers continue to withhold the resources we need to perform repairs - and deliberately implement obstacles in their devices in order to hinder repairability - we have over time been forced to stop offering many valuable services to our customers. Meanwhile, the large franchise repair chains we compete with are forging agreements with device manufacturers to be the exclusive provider for such services, further monopolizing the industry and driving prices up for consumers. It is my hope that with the passing of this legislation in New York State, other states will follow suit and we will see a healthy and strong repair industry moving forward.”

“Despite laws that prohibit the disposal or incineration of electronic waste in New York, cell phones and other electronic waste end up in our landfills at an alarming rate,” said John Szalasny, executive committee member of the Sierra Club Niagara Group. “Electronic waste accounts for 70% of the toxic components in our garbage, such as heavy metals and plastics. The Digital Fair Repair Act should make repairs less expensive, keeping usable items from our trash.”

“This legislation is a win-win-win for consumers, small business owners, and the environment,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “It will create a robust market of independent, local repair shops, save consumers money, and generate less electronic waste. I commend my colleague, Assemblymember Pat Fahy, for her fierce advocacy of this legislation, and I urge Governor Hochul to sign it into law.”