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India Today
05-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Soon India will ask phone and tablet makers to declare repairability score for their devices
Smartphone and tablet users in India could soon get more clarity on how easy it is to repair their devices, thanks to a new government-backed plan. A special committee formed by the Department of Consumer Affairs has proposed that all phone and tablet manufacturers be required to self-declare a Repairability Index for their products. This score will help buyers make better decisions at the time of purchase, especially as many consumers struggle to get their devices repaired once they're out of warranty or damaged. The aim is to promote responsible consumption and reduce electronic waste by making repairs easier and more Repairability Index will give each device a rating based on how simple it is to disassemble, the availability of spare parts, access to repair information, software updates, and other factors. Manufacturers will have to display this score clearly on the product packaging using a QR code, at retail stores, and on e-commerce listings. This way, consumers can see upfront whether a device is easy or difficult to fix before deciding to buy committee, chaired by Additional Secretary Bharat Khera, submitted its report to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare. The panel was set up in September 2024 and included representatives from major tech companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, Vivo, Dell, HP, and HMD Mobiles. It also has members from key industry bodies like ICEA and MAIT, as well as consumer rights organisations, academics, and officials from scientific bodies like the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the National Test House (NTH).advertisement The proposal has come in response to growing consumer complaints. Data from the National Consumer Helpline shows that mobile and tablet-related grievances rose from 19,057 in 2022–2023 to 22,864 in 2024–2025. Many of these complaints relate to poor access to repairs and a lack of clear post-sale support. The department hopes that introducing a Repairability Index will push brands to improve service quality and reduce the need for early device to the official statement, '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.'The committee has identified 11 key parts that commonly break or wear out, including batteries, display assemblies, cameras, charging ports, microphones, speakers, and folding mechanisms in foldable devices. These parts will be evaluated using six key parameters: disassembly depth, availability of repair tools, spare part access, availability of repair information, fastener types, and software update scoring system will combine the weightage from each of these areas to produce a final rating on a five-point scale. The government says the goal is to 'create an ecosystem where consumers choose options that align with the ethos of 'mindful utilisation' of their products over 'wasteful consumption.''Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare is now reviewing the report, and the ministry is expected to release guidelines soon based on these recommendations. While the Repairability Index will initially apply only to smartphones and tablets, it could be expanded to other electronics in future phases.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mobile, electronics manufacturers to self-declare Repairability Index: Govt
New Delhi: The government on Saturday said that the committee constituted for the Framework on Repairability Index (RI) in mobile and electronic sector has submitted its report, to help consumers who witness issues while seeking repair for their devices. The panel has submitted its report to Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs . The committee'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. 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, said Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Further, the committee recommended 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 consumer to make informed choices. In September 2024, the Department of Consumer Affairs constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Bharat Khera, Additional Secretary for developing the framework of the Repairability Index (RI). Repairability Index aims to create an ecosystem where consumers choose options that align with the ethos of 'mindful utilisation' of their products over 'wasteful consumption'. By empowering consumers with ease and hassle-free repair options, the Department said it is reaffirming its commitment to a self-reliant, sustainable, and consumer-friendly economy. An analysis of grievances received at National Consumer Helpline (NCH) indicates that there has been significant rise in complaints in mobiles and tablets product category from 19,057 in 2022-2023 followed by 21,020 in 2023-2024 and further to 22,864 in 2024-2025, which also highlighted a pressing need to improve repair accessibility and ensure greater transparency of repair and post-sale service-related information to consumers. Based on the deliberations, the committee identified smartphones and tablets as a product category for notification in the initial phase of Repairability Index in Mobile and Electronics Sector. The committee actively engaged with a wide array of relevant stakeholders, including manufacturers, industry associations, consumer advocacy groups, and representatives of government. "As India continues its rapid technological advancement and more and more consumers have access to a variety of consumer products, the need for robust after sales support and equitable repair practices is becoming increasingly crucial. For countless consumers, both in rural and urban areas, access to affordable repair options is fundamental," said the ministry.
The Print
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
Repairability index on anvil to help consumers take informed decision on buying smartphones, tablets
The panel, constituted by the consumer affairs ministry and chaired by Additional Secretary Bharat Khera, finalised the framework after reaching consensus among industry and consumer organisations. 'The Framework on Repairability Index for Mobile and Electronic Sector' aims to help consumers make informed decisions while purchasing devices, on the lines of energy efficiency ratings applicable for electrical appliances. New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Smartphone and tablet manufacturers will soon have to rate their products on a repairability index to help consumers take informed decision as a government panel on Friday submitted a report recommending a framework for that. 'Companies are not manufacturing devices for life. They are actually forcing consumers to buy another product because they have planned for their obsolescence. Technology has favoured making sure products fail and have short lifespans,' Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare told PTI. The whole purpose of the repairability index is to sensitise manufacturers about their responsibility for providing a repair ecosystem and to also rate their products on the index so that consumers can take informed decisions, she said. The panel has submitted the report to the ministry, Khare said and added, 'The ministry will examine the recommendations and accordingly will issue some guidelines.' In its first phase, the framework will cover smartphones and tablets, after analyzing nearly 20,000 consumer complaints received on the National Consumer Helpline regarding effectiveness of repair ecosystems. '… the next stage could be laptops, desktops and other products,' the committee chairman Khera said. The panel has recommended a five-point rating scale that should be prominently displayed at points of sale, on packaging, and websites. Original Equipment Manufacturers will be responsible for declaring the rating upfront. The rating will be based on several parameters including repairability of key components like display screens, batteries, camera assemblies, charging ports, and speakers; ease of disassembly; types of fasteners and tools used; availability of spare parts; and software update policies. 'If a particular service is satisfactory, it will get a score of five. If it is intermediary, it will get a score of three,' Khera explained. Similar standards exist in the EU, the US, and France, while other countries are working towards implementing such measures. 'India being an important economy could not have been left behind,' the panel chief added. India is the world's second largest market for smartphones after China. While feature phones are not currently covered under the index, Khera indicated that the scope could gradually expand. 'Once this is implemented, there will be learning throughout and then we can increase the scope,' he noted. The consumer affairs ministry will examine the recommendations before issuing guidelines. PTI LUX ANU ANU This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Repairability index on anvil to help consumers take informed decision on buying smartphones, tablets
Smartphone and tablet manufacturers will soon have to rate their products on a repairability index to help consumers take informed decision as a government panel on Friday submitted a report recommending a framework for that. 'The Framework on Repairability Index for Mobile and Electronic Sector' aims to help consumers make informed decisions while purchasing devices, on the lines of energy efficiency ratings applicable for electrical appliances. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan reopens Attari-Wagah border to allow stranded citizens in India to return Key Jammu & Kashmir reservoirs' flushing to begin soon Air India sees Pakistan airspace ban costing it $600 mn over 12 months The panel, constituted by the consumer affairs ministry and chaired by Additional Secretary Bharat Khera, finalised the framework after reaching consensus among industry and consumer organisations. "Companies are not manufacturing devices for life. They are actually forcing consumers to buy another product because they have planned for their obsolescence. Technology has favoured making sure products fail and have short lifespans," Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare told PTI. The whole purpose of the repairability index is to sensitise manufacturers about their responsibility for providing a repair ecosystem and to also rate their products on the index so that consumers can take informed decisions, she said. The panel has submitted the report to the ministry, Khare said and added, "The ministry will examine the recommendations and accordingly will issue some guidelines." Live Events In its first phase, the framework will cover smartphones and tablets, after analyzing nearly 20,000 consumer complaints received on the National Consumer Helpline regarding effectiveness of repair ecosystems. "... the next stage could be laptops, desktops and other products," the committee chairman Khera said. The panel has recommended a five-point rating scale that should be prominently displayed at points of sale, on packaging, and websites. Original Equipment Manufacturers will be responsible for declaring the rating upfront. The rating will be based on several parameters including repairability of key components like display screens, batteries, camera assemblies, charging ports, and speakers; ease of disassembly; types of fasteners and tools used; availability of spare parts; and software update policies. "If a particular service is satisfactory, it will get a score of five. If it is intermediary, it will get a score of three," Khera explained. Similar standards exist in the EU, the US, and France, while other countries are working towards implementing such measures. "India being an important economy could not have been left behind," the panel chief added. India is the world's second largest market for smartphones after China. While feature phones are not currently covered under the index, Khera indicated that the scope could gradually expand. "Once this is implemented, there will be learning throughout and then we can increase the scope," he noted. The consumer affairs ministry will examine the recommendations before issuing guidelines.
