Right to Repair Now on Every Continent Except Antarctica: Happy International Repair Day 2024!

Today is International Repair Day, and a report just released from the Open Repair Alliance (ORA) shows how much the repair movement is taking off: In the last 15 years, there have been over 20,000 repair events in 31 countries, with over 208,491 repairs.

Meanwhile, Repair.org just released a new page tracking Right to Repair advocacy developments around the world—there have now been Right to Repair laws proposed on every continent except Antarctica (are any of you penguins at McMurdo Station having trouble getting parts and tools? Seriously, hit us up if so).

Here are some recent Right to Repair wins on every continent that’s not an ice sheet. 

Europe: Big Wins in 2024 but Advocates Aren’t Stopping Yet

Europe continues to be a powerhouse in the fight for repairability. The European Union passed the Right to Repair Directive in 2024, setting a significant precedent for protecting consumers’ right to affordable spare parts and independent repairs. Though there’s more to fight for, the directive is a step in the right direction, covering essential items like smartphones, tablets, and e-bikes. France also strengthened its repair laws, expanding the availability of spare parts and its pioneering repairability index—helping consumers make informed decisions and boosting sustainable practices.

Although the ORA report highlights some massive wins in repair events, it also points to some serious gaps in EU repair legislation:  Shockingly, 96% of the products brought into repair cafés are not covered by existing Right to Repair laws, yet volunteers still manage to fix 53% of those items. In 25% of cases, repairs are blocked by the unavailability of spare parts, and in 18%, parts are simply too expensive. The report also reveals that most of the products brought to repair events are significantly older than what current regulations cover, with items like hair dryers averaging 10 years, and projectors a remarkable 28 years. While community repair is making an impact, we’ll need more ambitious legislation if we want to make it possible to do the repairs people most often want.

For more, check out the full report release webinar, featuring a talk from iFixit’s EU policy advocate Thomas Opsomer.

North America: Undeniable Momentum

In the US, Right to Repair laws have been considered in 48 of 50 states, and they’ve passed now in 5: New York, California, Minnesota, Oregon, and Colorado. In 2024, we beat back one of the biggest barriers to repair for independent repair shops: the software locks known as parts pairing will soon be illegal in Oregon and Colorado, and Apple has already begun changing their tune on refurbished and third-party parts. 

Canada is pushing forward with two national Right to Repair bills (C-244 and C-294) that will empower consumers to bypass software locks for repairs. Meanwhile, Quebec took a bold step by banning planned obsolescence in 2023, ensuring longer product lifespans and better access to parts.

Oceania: Opening Doors for Independent Repairers

Down under, Australia passed a 2021 mandate that car manufacturers share repair information with independent mechanics. This has made automotive repairs more accessible and affordable. As other industries are set to follow, Australia’s Productivity Commission continues to push for broader Right to Repair reforms. Meanwhile, New Zealand introduced its first-ever Right to Repair bill in 2024, which is gaining strong public support.

South America: Growing Repair Momentum

In 2024, Brazil also introduced its very first Right to Repair bill, which aims to prohibit planned obsolescence and grant consumers better access to repair tools and parts. Repair culture is also thriving across the continent, with advocates pushing for similar laws in other countries, like Colombia, where the fight against planned obsolescence has recently gained traction. Above, Colombian repair tech Wilmer Becerra, who’s been fighting off an Apple lawsuit.

Africa: Communities Driving Repair Culture

Repair is thriving in Africa, too. In Uganda’s Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, a strong repair culture is flourishing, driven by local initiatives that support sustainability and community empowerment. Above, Rhino Camp CC4D repairers do repairs with an iFixit Repair Business Toolkit.

South Africa continues to build on its 2021 automotive aftermarket guidelines, which ensure independent shops have access to essential repair parts, helping boost competition and lower costs for consumers.

Asia: Stepping into a Repairable Future

In 2023, India launched a Right to Repair consumer portal, making repair information for electronics and farm equipment more accessible to the public.

Taiwan followed suit by piloting a repairability index based on the French model, giving consumers more transparency about the products they buy and encouraging manufacturers to embrace repairable designs.

Next Step: Fix the Penguins, Too

Across the globe, the Right to Repair movement is picking up speed, bringing the dream of a fully fixable world closer to reality. Laws are being passed, communities are organizing, and repair culture is flourishing in ways we’ve never seen before. From Europe’s legislative victories to grassroots repair cafes in Africa, every step forward is a win for the environment, our wallets, and the future of consumer rights.

Let’s keep the momentum going! This International Repair Day, grab your tools, get fixing, and join the movement making the world a more repairable place.