FTC Votes to Prioritize Consumers’ Right to Repair Products (1)

The FTC unanimously approved a new policy to prioritize enforcement against manufacturers that make it difficult for consumers to fix products on their own or use a third-party repair shop.

The new policy calls on the public to submit violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The law prohibits manufacturers from imposing certain conditions—such as requiring consumers to buy their own brand equipment or after-purchase maintenance services—in providing warranty coverage. The agency would consider filing suit against violators or investigating patterns of problematic behavior, according to the policy.

The FTC also will target repair restrictions “that violate antitrust laws or the ...