Repairability index for smartphones and tablets on anvil, will help consumers in buying decisions
The manufacturers will have to rate the devices on this index upfront, as per suggestions of the panel.
New Delhi, May 3 (PTI) With consumers facing issues in repair of smartphones and tablets, a committee constituted by the government has recommended that original equipment manufacturers self-declare Repairability Index in this product category to enable customers make informed choice.
Khare had earlier said the ministry will examine the recommendations and accordingly will issue some guidelines.
In September 2024, Department of Consumer Affairs had constituted the committee under the chairmanship of Bharat Khera, Additional Secretary.
The committee has identified smartphones and tablets as a product category for notification in the initial phase of Repairability Index in Mobile and Electronics Sector, the statement said.
'The Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are required to self-declare the Repairability Index based on a standards scoring criteria provided in the framework with no additional compliance burden,' it added.
Further, the committee has suggested that the Repairability Index should be displayed at the point of sale/purchase, e-commerce platforms and in form of QR code on packaged products to enable consumers make informed choices.
'Repairability Index aims to create an ecosystem, where consumers choose options that align with the ethos of 'mindful utilization' of their products over 'wasteful consumption', the statement said.
The panel's recommendations have been framed in alignment with the best global practices without causing any impediment to the industry with regard to innovation and ease of doing business, it added.
The department seeks to empower consumers with ease and hassle-free repair options.
An analysis of grievances received at National Consumer Helpline (NCH) indicates that large number of consumers witness issues while seeking repair for their mobile phone and tablets.
There has been significant rise in complaints in mobiles and tablets — from 19,057 in 2022-2023 to 21,020 in 2023-2024 and further to 22,864 in 2024-2025.
The data pointed out the pressing need to improve repair accessibility and ensure greater transparency of repair and post-sale service-related information to consumers.
The committee included stakeholders from the industry with companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, Vivo, HMD Mobiles, Dell, HP.
The panel also had prominent industry associations like ICEA and MAIT besides representatives from consumer organisations like EPIC.
It also had members of academia and senior officials of Department of Consumer Affairs, Meity, MSME. Representative from scientific organisations such as NTH and BIS were also part of the panel.
The committee was mandated to recommend a robust framework for Repairability Index (RI) in Mobile and Electronics Sector.
It has identified priority parts which are most prone to frequent failures and have high functional relevance.
These parts are battery, display assembly, back cover assembly, front-facing camera assembly, rear-facing camera assembly, charging port, mechanical buttons, main microphones, speaker, hinge assembly or mechanical display folding mechanism, and external audio connectors.
According to the report, repairability is assessed on six core parameters — disassembly depth; repair information; availability of spare parts within a reasonable timeline; software updates; tools; and fasteners (types and availability).
'Scoring criteria was evolved for each of these parameters and weightages were decided. After aggregation of weightages for priority parts, a RI on a five-point numeric scale is arrived at,' the statement said. PTI MJH ANU ANU
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Tariffing India won't stop Putin: House Foreign Affairs Committee
New York/Washington, Aug 15 (PTI) Imposing tariffs on India will not stop Russian President Vladimir Putin or address Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats said on Friday. The committee's post on X came in response to a statement by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that if 'things don't go well" between US President Donald Trump and Putin at their Alaska summit meeting, then secondary sanctions on India for purchasing Russian oil could go up. 'Tariffing India won't stop Putin. If Trump really wanted to address Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, maybe punish Putin and give Ukraine the military aid it needs. Everything else is smoke and mirrors," the House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats said. Bessent, in an interview to Bloomberg on Wednesday, said, 'I think everyone has been frustrated with President Putin. We expected that he would come to the table in a more fulsome way. It looks like he may be ready to negotiate." 'And we put secondary tariffs on the Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see, if things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up," he added. When asked about China, the main purchaser of Russian crude, Bessent had said he is 'not going to get ahead of the president, but the president is the best at creating leverage for himself and he will make it clear to President Putin that all options are on the table". On whether sanctions can go up or loosened, Bessent had said, 'Sanctions can go up, they can be loosened. They can have a definitive life. They can go on indefinitely." He had added that even as Trump is meeting with Putin, the Europeans 'need to join us" and need to be willing to 'put on these secondary sanctions". Bessent recalled that at the G7 meeting in Canada this year, he asked the leaders at the table whether they are willing to put a 200 per cent secondary tariff on China. 'And you know what, everybody wanted to see what kind of shoes they were wearing," he said. Trump imposed tariffs totalling 50 per cent on India, including 25 per cent for Delhi's purchases of Russian oil that will come into effect from August 27. Responding to the tariffs, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. 'Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," it said. PTI YAS GSP GSP view comments First Published: August 16, 2025, 00:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
4 hours ago
- Mint
Govt implements ₹3,000 FASTag pass for private vehicles
New Delhi, Aug 15 (PTI) State-owned NHAI has implemented the FASTag annual pass across the country from Friday to encourage the use of technology to enhance 'ease of living' for the citizens, according to an official statement. The statement said the annual pass has received an overwhelming response from the national highway users. "Till 4:30 PM on the first day of the implementation, around 1.2 lakh users purchased and activated the annual pass and about 1.24 lakh transactions were recorded on toll plazas," it added. The statement said that providing a seamless and economical travel option to national highway users, the FASTag Annual Pass eliminates the need to frequently recharge FASTag through a one-time fee payment of ₹ 3,000 for one year's validity or 200 toll plaza crossings on National Highways and Expressways across the country. The annual pass is applicable to all non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag and gets activated within two hours of the one-time fee payment through the Rajmargyatra App or NHAI website. With a penetration rate of around 98 per cent and over 8 crore users, FASTag has revolutionised the Electronic Toll Collection system in the country, the statement said.
News18
6 hours ago
- News18
Chhath Ghat, Yamuna cruise service: CM announces plans to make Delhi tourism hub
Agency: New Delhi, Aug 15 (PTI) Developing a 12-km-long 'Chhath Ghat', Yamuna cruise service and a tourism circuit are some of the major plans of the Rekha Gupta government to boost tourism in Delhi. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday announced the construction of the Chhath Ghat along the Yamuna, which will be one of the largest riverfront spaces in the country and is expected to welcome lakhs of devotees during Chhath Puja and other major events. To further revitalise the riverfront, regular Yamuna Aarti will also be organised, she said. The Delhi CM made these announcements while speaking at an Independence Day celebration, according to an official statement. The government will soon launch a comprehensive tourism circuit linking Delhi's most significant heritage landmarks, enabling visitors to experience the city's cultural journey through a seamless and well-curated route. This initiative will integrate historic forts, monuments, museums and cultural centres into a tourism experience that would reflect Delhi's past and the present. Plans are also underway to introduce a state-of-the-art Yamuna cruise service, offering tourists a scenic journey through the city's cultural and spiritual heart, she said. She said that the capital will not only preserve its historic grandeur but also embrace modern infrastructure to attract both domestic and international visitors. 'These tourism projects will not only strengthen our economy but also give every visitor a deeper, more soulful connection to our capital," she said. Gupta also spoke about her vision to make Delhi a global hub for tourism, education and healthcare and emphasised that both the government's efforts and citizens' involvement were needed to transform Delhi. '…this change will only be possible with your support. I have two appeals to every Delhiite: First, plant a tree in the name of your living or late mother. Second, let us give Delhi freedom from garbage. Until 15 August 2026, let us pledge not to litter on roads or in public places, and work together for a clean, beautiful city," she said. At the event, she also accused the previous government of depriving Delhi residents of the benefits of the Ayushman scheme. She said her government implemented it on the very first day after taking the oath. To strengthen the healthcare infrastructure, a target of 1,100 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs has been set, out of which 166 have already been completed, the CM said. Additionally, in August, five major hospital expansion projects will be inaugurated, adding 1,300 new beds, new OPDs and state-of-the-art medical equipment, Gupta highlighted. To address the shortage of medical machines in hospitals, 150 dialysis machines, 20 CT scan machines, and 12 MRI machines have been installed. New medical superintendents have been appointed in 28 hospitals, and 1,500 nurses have been given permanent appointments. Further, she said that Delhi's hospitals have been connected to the Hospital Information Management System (HIMS), enabling patients to book appointments online and access facilities like digital health records and a unique health ID. PTI SLB AMJ AMJ AMJ view comments First Published: August 15, 2025, 21:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
