Update: FTC warns companies to honor Right to Repair in warranties

On July 3, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned 8 companies that their warranty statements need to be corrected to protect consumers’ Right to Repair. 

The letters, sent to aeris Health, Blueair, Medify Air, Oransi, InMovement, ASRock, Zotac, and Gigabyte, called on the companies to remove “statements that consumers must use specified parts or service providers to keep their warranties intact” or stop placing “warranty void if removed stickers” on products. 

Blueair and Oransi were identified in U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s Warranties in the Void reports for the issues the FTC is warning them about today. We found language in their warranties that purported to void warranties for unauthorized repairs, something which is generally a violation of federal warranty law. Over the last 6 years, PIRG and our allies have pushed on the FTC to do more to address issues around warranties. 

Nathan Proctor, one of the authors of these reports as well as the Senior Director of PIRG’s Right to Repair Campaign, added: 

“Consumers should be able to repair the things they own, and manufacturers should follow federal warranty laws. A warranty is a federally protected right, not a privilege that a manufacturer can dangle to convince product owners to use the manufacturers’ repair services. 

“Repair saves consumers money, and cuts unnecessary electronic waste. It’s clear that the FTC is stepping up their work to protect our Right to Repair, which is good news for our pocketbooks and the planet. All manufacturers should take notice.”