In recent months, two major state victories have helped turn the tide on repair access鈥攑ushing the right-to-repair movement further into the mainstream and setting powerful precedents for future legislation.听
Oregon and Colorado Lead the Way听
Oregon鈥檚 Right to Repair Act, which went into effect in January 2025, is now the strongest law of its kind in the country. Not only does it require manufacturers to provide consumers and independent repair shops with access to essential repair materials鈥攍ike tools, manuals, parts, and diagnostic software鈥攊t also breaks new ground by banning 鈥減arts pairing.鈥� This common manufacturer practice restricts third-party repairs by digitally locking devices to original components. With Oregon鈥檚 ban, the state has sent a clear message: repairs shouldn鈥檛 be held hostage by design.听
Colorado followed suit with its own expanded legislation, HB24鈥�1121, signed into law earlier this year. Building on earlier policies for wheelchairs and agricultural equipment, the new law covers most consumer electronics sold after mid-2021 and ensures that device owners and independent technicians can access the materials they need to fix devices safely and affordably.听
Why It Matters Now听
These new laws arrive at a pivotal moment. Consumer electronics have become increasingly difficult to repair, with glued-in batteries, proprietary screws, and software locks that limit options and drive up costs. When devices break, they鈥檙e often discarded鈥攃ontributing to a fast-growing stream of electronic waste. In 2019, the U.S. generated nearly 7 million tons of e-waste, most of which ended up in landfills or incinerators.听