Repairability Index (RI): What is it?
- RI assigns a score to consumer electronics and appliances based on ease of repair.
- Evaluation criteria include:
- Availability of spare parts
- Cost of repair
- Access to software updates
- Availability of repair information
Planned Obsolescence and Manufacturing Trends
- Older appliances were more durable than modern ones.
- Planned obsolescence implies manufacturers intentionally reduce product lifespan to push newer models.
- Another key reason: cost-cutting in manufacturing due to:
- Increased metal prices (e.g., copper)
- India’s dependence on metal imports
- Leads to leaner engineering, making devices less repair-friendly.
Larger Context: Circular Economy & Durable Wealth
- Promoting repairability supports:
- E-waste reduction
- Circular economy: parts re-used in the value chain
- Reduced dependency on virgin (newly mined) metals
- Older appliances are viewed as “durable wealth” (last longer, cost-effective over time).
- With slower improvements in computing power, longer-lasting devices make more ecological and economic sense.
Right to Repair: Global vs Indian Context
- Global Meaning: Empowers consumers to repair via:
- Third-party services
- Access to repair parts and manuals
- India’s Approach:
- Non-confrontational
- DoCA’s Right to Repair Portal lists authorised repair centres and repair manuals
- Aligns more with manufacturers’ interests than consumer empowerment
- U.S. Approach:
- Stronger consumer activism
- Pushback against monopolies on repair (e.g., Apple, Taylor Co.)
Tensions Between Consumers and Manufacturers
- Manufacturers resist right to repair due to:
- Repair revenue becoming a major income stream
- Fears of losing control over repair ecosystems
- Example: McDonald’s ice cream machines can only be repaired by Taylor Co.
- Indian RI committee mostly included industry representatives, raising concerns over bias
- However, inclusion of advocates like Pushpa Girimaji signals some consumer representation
Way Forward & Implications
- Government aims to implement RI without stifling innovation or ease of doing business
- RI may pressure brands to:
- Design more repairable and durable products
- Increase transparency for consumers
- A step towards bridging the gap between consumer rights and corporate interests
