PC launches ‘right to repair’ inquiry with issues paper

The Productivity Commission has published an issues paper as a prelude to its forthcoming inquiry into the costs and benefits of a right of repair.

There is no
single definition of a “right to repair”, but the PC says that “in essence it
relates to regulations to maximise a consumer’s opportunity to repair their
goods and avoid creating additional waste (including e-waste”.

The commission
has been asked to assess the costs and benefits of a right to repair in Australia
and the impact that regulatory or policy changes could have on market offerings
for repair services and replacement products.

The inquiry
will examine:

• whether
  there are regulatory or manufacturer-imposed barriers to accessing repair services,
  including the role of embedded software, intellectual property, and
  commercially sensitive knowledge in limiting access to repairs; and
• the
  impacts of waste (especially e-waste generated from the disposal of consumer electronics
  and household goods) and the current arrangements for the disposal and
  management of e-waste.

The effect
of premature and planned product obsolescence on the growth of e-waste will
also be examined.

The PC says
it will take a community-wide view in its approach to the inquiry, balancing
the (sometimes competing) interests of consumers, manufacturers, suppliers and
repairers, to achieve the greatest benefits for the community as a whole
(including the environment).

The due
date for inquiry submissions is 1 February 2021, with a draft report scheduled
for release in June 2021.

The PC says
it expects to hand a final report to government at the end of October.

Go to the PC’s website to download the issues paper and make a submission.