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The Right-to-Repair Fight in the U.S.: What It Means for Small Businesses and Consumers

Across the United States, the right-to-repair movement has been gaining momentum. States like Colorado, New York, Minnesota, and California have passed laws requiring manufacturers to provide access to repair tools, parts, and documentation.

These laws are designed to give consumers more control over the products they own—and to support independent repair businesses. But recent pushback from major tech companies shows that the fight is far from over.

A growing national movement

Right-to-repair laws aim to fix a long-standing imbalance: manufacturers have traditionally controlled how and where devices can be repaired.

With new legislation, that’s changing:

• Independent repair shops can access official parts and manuals

• Consumers can fix their own devices or choose who repairs them

• Barriers created by proprietary software and tools are reduced

Colorado has been one of the most aggressive states in this space, but similar laws are spreading nationwide—making this a national economic and consumer rights issue, not just a state-by-state one.

Pushback from big tech

Large companies like Cisco and IBM have supported efforts to carve out exemptions for certain types of equipment, often citing cybersecurity and safety concerns.

The concern from critics is that broadly defined exemptions—like those involving “critical infrastructure” or “IT equipment”—could:

• Apply to a wide range of devices

• Allow manufacturers to decide what can and cannot be repaired

• Reintroduce restrictions that laws were meant to eliminate

This tension is now playing out in multiple states, not just one.

What this means for small businesses nationwide

1. Opportunity vs. uncertainty

Right-to-repair laws have created new opportunities for local repair shops, including:

• Electronics repair

• Farm equipment servicing

• Medical device maintenance

But if exemptions expand, these businesses face uncertainty. Access to parts and tools could disappear overnight depending on how laws are interpreted.

2. Competition with manufacturers

Independent shops rely on fair access to compete. Without it, manufacturers regain a near-monopoly on repairs, which:

• Limits customer choice

• Drives business away from local providers

• Consolidates power among large corporations

3. Local economic impact

Small repair businesses are part of the local economy. Nationwide restrictions could:

• Reduce small business growth

• Cut local jobs

• Shift spending toward large, centralized service providers

What this means for consumers across the U.S.

1. Cost of ownership

When repair options are limited, consumers often pay more. A competitive repair market helps keep prices down, while restrictions tend to:

• Increase service costs

• Encourage device replacement over repair

2. Control over your devices

Right-to-repair is ultimately about ownership. Without it, consumers may not fully control products they’ve purchased—especially when:

• Repairs require manufacturer approval

• Software locks prevent fixes

• Parts are restricted

3. Downtime and convenience

Local repair shops often provide faster service than manufacturers. Losing that option could mean:

• Longer wait times

• Shipping devices away for repair

• Disruptions for individuals and businesses alike

4. Environmental impact

Expanding repair access helps reduce electronic waste. Nationwide, stronger right-to-repair laws could:

• Extend product lifespans

• Reduce landfill waste

• Promote more sustainable consumption

The bigger picture: a national turning point

Advocacy groups like iFixit and the Repair Association argue that the current wave of legislation represents a turning point.

The key question is no longer whether right-to-repair will exist—but how strong it will be.

• Will laws remain broad and consumer-friendly?

• Or will exemptions gradually weaken them?

Because many states are adopting similar frameworks, decisions in one state can influence others. What happens in places like Colorado could shape policies nationwide.

Bottom line

The right-to-repair movement is reshaping how Americans interact with their devices:

• For small businesses: it’s a chance to grow—but also a risk if protections weaken

• For consumers: it determines cost, convenience, and control over everyday products

• For the U.S. economy: it’s a question of local competition versus corporate control

As more states adopt these laws, the outcome of ongoing battles will help define whether repair remains a right—or becomes a restricted privilege again.