AT A GLANCE
Washington
Washington has taken a major step forward to expand access to repair. In 2025, the state passed the Right to Repair Act (ESHB 1483), requiring manufacturers of many consumer products with digital electronics to make repair documentation, tools, and replacement parts available to consumers and independent repair shops on fair and reasonable terms. The law applies to many products first sold or used in Washington on or after July 1, 2021, helping ensure Washingtonians have real options to fix the devices they rely on every day.
Washington’s law recognizes that access to affordable repair is essential—especially for rural residents, low-income households, and small businesses. By requiring manufacturers to share the information and tools needed to diagnose, maintain, and restore digital electronic products to working order, the law reduces unnecessary barriers to repair, lowers costs for consumers, supports local repair businesses, and helps keep usable products in service longer. Key provisions of Washington’s Right to Repair law take effect on January 1, 2026.
$382
Households could save an average of $330 per year by repairing electronics instead of replacing them. U.S. PIRG research shows that restricted access to parts, tools, and repair information forces consumers to spend more on unnecessary replacements—costs Washington’s Right to Repair law helps reduce.
8,700+
Analyses of state data estimate that more than 8,700 cell phones are discarded each day in Washington. With better access to repair, many of these devices could stay in use longer instead of being thrown away.
75%
Right to Repair is overwhelmingly popular nationwide. Surveys consistently show strong bipartisan support, with large majorities of voters across political parties backing policies that require manufacturers to provide access to repair manuals, tools, and replacement parts.
Here’s how this groundbreaking law stands to benefit consumers, the economy, and the planet:
Consumer Savings and Access: Washington’s Right to Repair law gives consumers real options when their devices break. By requiring manufacturers to provide access to repair manuals, tools, and replacement parts, the law reduces unnecessary barriers that force people to replace devices instead of fixing them. According to U.S. PIRG research, households could save an average of $330 per year by choosing repair over replacement. For Washington residents—especially those in rural areas or far from manufacturer-authorized service centers—this means lower costs, shorter repair times, and greater control over the products they own.
Repair Is Necessary and Popular: Americans overwhelmingly want the ability to repair their devices. Consumer Reports has found that 81% of Americans have replaced a product because it failed, and more than half did so sooner than expected because repair options were difficult or expensive. That frustration translates into strong public support: large majorities of voters across the political spectrum support Right to Repair policies that require manufacturers to share repair information and parts. Washington’s law reflects this bipartisan demand for fairer, more competitive repair options.
Repair Benefits the Environment: Electronic waste is a growing problem in Washington. An estimated 8,700 cell phones are discarded every day in the state, many of which could be repaired and used longer with better access to parts and information. Extending the life of electronics reduces the need for new resource extraction, cuts greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing, and keeps hazardous materials out of landfills. By making repair more accessible, Washington’s Right to Repair law supports a more sustainable, circular economy—one where products are built to last, not designed for early disposal.
What’s Covered?
Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, Desktop Computers, Servers, Peripherals, Office Equipment, etc.
Televisions, Projectors, E-books, Home Entertainment Systems
Smartwatches, Smart Glasses, Fitness Trackers
Electronic Toothbrushes*, Hair Dryers, Hair Clippers
Electric Bikes*, Electric Scooters, Electronic Darts, etc.
Drones, Robots, Toys, RC Cars, etc.
Keyboards, Synthesizers, Amplifiers
Digital Cameras, Audio Devices and Equipment, etc.
What the law requires manufacturers to provide
Parts
Essential components available to fix any parts prone to wear or damage.
Tools
Specialized tools to perform maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs.
Documentation
Comprehensive instructions for routine care, troubleshooting issues, and repairing your device’s components.
What the Law Requires Repair Shops to Provide
Washington’s Right to Repair law includes clear requirements for both independent and authorized repair providers aimed at protecting consumer privacy, improving transparency, and ensuring informed consent before repairs begin.
Privacy and Security Disclosure: Before accepting a device for repair, repair shops must provide customers with a written or electronic notice explaining the steps they take to protect the privacy and security of devices entrusted to them—or clearly state if no such steps are taken.
Customer Data Protection Guidance: Repair providers must inform customers of recommended steps to safeguard their data, including backing up information, factory resetting or wiping data when appropriate, limiting password sharing to what is necessary for the repair, and logging out of accounts containing sensitive information.
Notice of Privacy Rights: Customers must be informed of their legal right to privacy under Washington law, including protections against unauthorized access, data theft, identity crimes, and other privacy violations. The notice must also explain that violations may be referred to law enforcement and could result in civil or criminal liability.
Disclosure of Authorization Status: Independent repair providers must clearly disclose, in writing, that they are not authorized by the device manufacturer before performing a repair.
Disclosure of Replacement Parts: Independent repair providers must disclose whether they use replacement parts that are used or sourced from a supplier other than the original manufacturer.
These requirements are designed to promote transparency and trust—not to restrict who may offer repair services. Washington’s law does not require repair shops to obtain manufacturer approval, special certifications, or licenses to perform repairs.
Key Dates
July 1, 2021
Applies to digital electronic products first sold or used in Washington on or after this date.
January 1, 2026
Effective Date. From this date forward, manufacturers must make repair parts, tools, and documentation available on fair and reasonable terms.
January 1, 2026
For products manufactured and first sold or used after this date, manufacturers may not use software-based parts pairing to block repairs, reduce functionality, or display misleading warnings after lawful repairs—subject to limited security exceptions.
Penalties and Enforcement
Washington’s Right to Repair Act is enforced under the state’s Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86). Manufacturers that fail to provide access to repair documentation, tools, or replacement parts on fair and reasonable terms may be found to have engaged in an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce.
Enforcement authority rests solely with the Washington State Attorney General, who may investigate violations and bring actions to stop unlawful practices, seek injunctive relief, and pursue other remedies available under state law. The law does not provide a private right of action for individual consumers or repair shops.
Consumers and repair providers who believe a manufacturer is violating Washington’s Right to Repair law may report concerns to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office for review and potential enforcement.
Resources
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Now that Right to Repair is the law of the land in Washington, consumers can take advantage of a variety of resources. We’ve compiled a few to help get you started on your repairs. Expect more to become available as the law is implemented and manufacturers come into compliance.
DIY Repair
Repairing our stuff benefits the environment, the planet, and the local economy. It also benefits you personally! When you repair a device, you build confidence, learn patience, and develop a skillset that will help you repair more devices. Think of DIY repair as a learning opportunity. Practice makes perfect, and practicing repairs teaches design, engineering, and how stuff works.
Companies like iFixit offer free DIY repair manuals for tens of thousands of products. Manufacturers like Framework, Fairphone, Motorola, and HMD have also started to make DIY repair a core part of their product support.
FIND A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP
Repair jobs are local jobs, and thousands of locally owned and operated small and medium repair businesses have popped up in the last few years. Choosing a local repair business supports your local economy, and can save you money. Repair shops often are able to charge less than an authorized repair center through a manufacturer and they can fix what authorized repair can’t or won’t.
To find a local repair shop, use a local business directory in your community.
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Under the Right to Repair law, manufacturers are obligated to facilitate repairs. While this might appear overwhelming for some businesses, achieving compliance is straightforward. Manufacturers can readily extend the capabilities they offer to authorized repair centers. In cases where a manufacturer lacks a service center, several alternatives are available.
Build It From Scratch
Companies such as Fairphone and Framework have designed their products prioritizing ease of part replacement, making them naturally compliant with repair regulations. This approach is particularly feasible for new enterprises. Yet, for established corporations, initiating a repair-friendly platform can present challenges. The shift requires a cultural transformation towards openness and away from tight control, along with overcoming logistical and data management hurdles.
Use a third-party network
Apple's choice to partner with a third-party service for its Self Service Repair program illustrates another pathway, even if it deviates from the usual Apple finesse. Similarly, Samsung's collaboration with local repair services like uBreakiFix shows how outsourcing can effectively meet repair requirements—providing parts, tools, and guides without significant complications.
Create a Repair Ecosystem
For manufacturers interested in exploring how to build or enhance a repair ecosystem, further resources and guidance are available. iFixit, a leader in the repair community, offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to support manufacturers at every step of the process. From repairability assessments to technical documentation and parts distribution, iFixit's expertise can help manufacturers navigate the complexities of creating products that are both durable and repairable.
Learn more about iFixit's offerings and how they can assist your company in developing a robust repair ecosystem by visiting iFixit's website.