In a nutshell: The right-to-repair movement has taken some positive steps. Apple and Samsung recently began labeling their devices with repairability scores in France. Granted, this became required as of the first of this year. Nonetheless, the 2 companies, which have stood against R2R laws in the past, have not complained well-nigh the new rules.

French police force now requires electronics manufacturers to post repairability scores for their products. The legislation went into outcome on January 1, but companies have until next year before regulators begin imposing fines to enforce the rule. Apple tree and Samsung have already started displaying the labels on their websites (below) and in stores (bottom).

French media outlet Radio French republic Internationale notes that manufacturers are immune to cocky-report their scores only are spring by strict guidelines. The ratings range from 1-10, with college scores indicating the device is more readily repairable.

Things similar ease of disassembly and availability of repair manuals or replacement parts gene into the scores. MacGeneration lists the v main judging criteria are equally follows (translation via Google):

  • the availability of documentation (for repair, use and maintenance too as the menstruum during which this data is fabricated available);
  • disassembly (how easily it is washed, how like shooting fish in a barrel information technology is to access parts, what tools are required, how the parts are fixed in the device);
  • spare parts (period of availability and delivery times);
  • the price of spare parts (compared to new);
  • the bachelor software updates, the offering of remote technical assistance gratis of accuse and the possibility of resetting your device in a software way [sic].

For example, the iPhone xi ranks a 4.five, while the iPhone 12 scored a solid vi.0. According to the detailed listings that Apple tree recently added to the French version of its support pages, the newer phones are more repairable because they are easier to take apart and because parts are less expensive.

Although neither Apple nor Samsung have commented on the new law, it is condom to assume that they are probably not happy about having to list repairability scores, especially on products that fall brusk in that area. Apple tree has been a vocal opponent of right-to-repair laws in the past, only has begun relaxing its stance more recently. Fortunately, the rules let device makers easy ways to increase a production'south ranking.

For example, Le Monde reports that Samsung published a Milky way S21 Plus repair guide online to boost its score. Since most companies already utilize them in-business firm, online manuals are a practically effortless manner for OEMs to improve their products' rankings. Making spare parts more than readily bachelor is another matter they can practise without much hassle.

These seemingly little things are the whole point behind the legislation. Instead of requiring manufacturers to outright allow 3rd-party repairs, which Apple and others take long resisted, lawmakers have forced them to compete in terms of repairability, and they seem to be taking to it without complaint.

Epitome credit: Vladimka Production