Apple Repair Rights Debate, Behind the Scenes [Cha Min-young's PostIT]

Voices Grow for Expanding 'Parts Replacement' in Europe Including UK and France
Legislative Moves in Korea Following US
IT Companies 'Refute' Over Performance and Security Issues

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] #. Since the beginning of this year, European and U.S. governments have been raising their voices demanding tech companies like Apple and Microsoft (MS) to "guarantee the right to repair." However, tech companies are rebutting, citing reasons such as technological completeness and security. What future will the global right-to-repair debate bring?

This year, laws enacted in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom include provisions obliging manufacturers of washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and TV monitors to allow consumers to replace parts using commonly available tools. They are now considering expanding regulations to include smartphones, tablet PCs, and computers. In France, manufacturers must assign a 'repairability score' ranging from 0 to 10 for certain electronic devices. For example, Apple's iPhone 12 Pro Max received a score of 6 when it was released at the end of last year.

Legislative movements are also active in the United States. The Biden administration announced an 'Executive Order to Promote Competition in the American Economy' that prohibits manufacturers from refusing after-sales service (AS) to consumers who repair devices themselves or through third parties, aiming to curb Apple's closed AS policy. However, while 27 states have considered such bills, more than half have already rejected or dismissed them, making passage unlikely.

In Europe, discussions about the right to repair are directly linked to environmental issues. According to Bloomberg Green, an estimated 53.6 million tons of electronic waste were discarded in 2019, of which only 17% was recycled properly. Hazardous substances such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium contained in electronic products are difficult to dispose of, and the carbon footprint generated during shipping and logistics before consumption is also problematic.

In South Korea, related legislation has recently been proposed to reduce household communication expenses and revitalize the electronic product repair market. On the 13th of this month, Deputy Speaker Kim Sang-hee of the National Assembly introduced the so-called 'Consumer Right to Repair Act (Amendment to the Act on the Distribution Structure of Mobile Communication Terminals).' This bill prohibits mobile phone manufacturers from refusing or delaying the supply and sale of parts and equipment necessary for phone repairs without reasonable grounds, and from installing or operating software that restricts phone repairs. Violations will result in the Korea Communications Commission conducting fact-finding investigations and issuing corrective orders or fines. Deputy Speaker Kim Sang-hee stated, "We must prevent the increase in household communication expenses caused by Apple's closed policies."

However, from the perspective of smartphone manufacturers like Apple, these measures are an unavoidable choice to ensure consumers can use innovative technologies without disruption. Apple shares parts only with some authorized repair shops. Apple maintains this policy citing security concerns and the possibility of device performance degradation. The battle over the right to repair between tech companies represented by Apple and governments worldwide is still in its early stages. This is why the changes to come are being closely watched.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.