US "Right to Repair" Act gains momentum

The President and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association in the USA is urging members of the US Congress to support the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act introduced in 2005. The bill would protect consumers' rights to upgrade and repair their vehicles where they want and with the products of their choice.

The arguments at the heart of this bill are equally applicable to practices on this side of the Atlantic and progress of this bill will be followed with interest in Europe. It is also likely to assist in bringing the matter to the closer attention of the European Parliament.

The "Right to Repair" Act would prohibit vehicle manufacturers from locking out aftermarket consumer electronics products. CEA President Gary Shapiro has sent a letter to members of Congress urging support of the bill, officially termed H.R. 2048. "Americans should have the right to choose which new technologies are used in their vehicle, as well as the right to choose who installs these products," said Shapiro. "As vehicles continue to become more electronically complex, automobile manufacturers have begun implementing specific proprietary access codes to allow access to the advanced computer mainframe. This effectively has caused many consumers and independent installers to be locked out of their own vehicle when it comes to the installation of new mobile electronics products such as video screens, navigation devices and audio systems."

"H.R. 2048 would put independent dealers and manufacturers on the same playing field as car companies and their franchised dealer network. This bill does not require car manufacturer's proprietary information to be shared," continued Shapiro. "We believe this bill would promote greater consumer choice, lower prices and ensure a competitive landscape for mobile electronics installers and manufacturers."

While any decisions taken in the US may appear to have little relevance to us in Europe, it may infact reinforce similar demands currently being voiced by European organisations working to protect the rights of both consumers and aftermarket industry workers. In the US, senators have been encouraged to take an interest not only because of the trend towards effectively limiting the consumer's freedom of choice, but also because of the impact it could have on many thousands of businesses and workers in the automotive aftermarket industry.

Similarly, Members of the European and UK Parliaments might be moved to consider the impact on jobs on this side of the Atlantic if vehicle manufacturers continue to employ what might be deemed as amounting to restrictive practices.
To learn more about the moves on "Right to Repair" in the USA, visit CE.org.