Latest news with #FrameworkonRepairabilityIndex
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Phones, tabs 1st items in index of repairability
Smartphones and tablets will be the first two electronic consumer items to be brought under the ' Repairability Index ' regime. The 'repairability index' is a label that manufacturers put on electrical and electronic equipment to inform consumers about the repairability of the entire product or its components. The index rates products on six core parameters - disassembly depth; repair information; availability of spare parts within a reasonable timeline; software updates; tools; and fasteners (types and availability). Index by original cos will enable people make informed choices A govt-appointed committee has recommended to the consumer affairs department a self-declared 'Repairability Index' by original manufacturers for these products to enable customers to make informed choices. The manufacturers will have to rate the devices on this index upfront so that consumers get full information, as per suggestions of the panel. As per the complaints lodged with National Consumer Helpline (NCH), a large number of consumers face issues while seeking repair for their mobile phone and tablets. The number of such complaints has increased from 19,057 in 2022-23 to 21,020 in 2023-24 and to 22,864 in 2024-25. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scarlett Johansson, 40, Shows Off Her Real Size In A New Vacation Photos 33 Bridges Undo The govt panel has also suggested that the index should be displayed at the point of sale/ purchase, e-commerce platforms and in the form of QR code on packaged products. In an official statement, the consumer affairs department said that the committee constituted for the Framework on Repairability Index in mobile and electronic sector has submitted its report. 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," govt said. The panel has identified priority parts which are most prone to frequent failures and have high functional relevance. Now the department will examine the recommendations and come up with a draft guidelines for wider stakeholders consultation before bringing out final guidelines. Sources said since the committee has given its reporter after long consultation with stakeholders, including representatives from Apple, Samsung, Google, Vivo, HMD Mobiles, Dell and HP, there is high likelihood of most of the recommendations becoming part of the guidelines. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Print
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
Repairability index for smartphones and tablets on anvil, will help consumers in buying decisions
According to an official statement issued on Saturday, the committee constituted for the Framework on Repairability Index in mobile and electronic sector has submitted its report to Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare. 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.
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.
