After warning companies that “Void Warranty if Removed” are illegal, the FTC is expanding their investigation into anti-repair practices

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Statement from U.S. PIRG applauds the move

The Federal Trade Commission announced today it will expand its efforts to prevent anti-repair activities by holding a workshop on the subject in July and also committing to more research into these practices by manufacturers.

This announcement comes after the FTC sent warning letters last April to six companies saying their “void warranty if removed” stickers violated consumer rights under Magnusson-Moss Warranty Act. A subsequent survey in October by U.S. PIRG Education Fund, “Warranties in the Void,” showed that such anti-repair activity was even more widespread. The study surveyed 50 members of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and found that 45 would void warranties for independent repair.

Following today’s announcement, “Warranties in the Void” author and U.S. PIRG Right to Repair campaign director Nathan Proctor made the following statement:

“People just want to fix their stuff, and it’s time for manufacturers to stop blocking access to repair. The FTC announcing it will expand its investigation into anti-repair practices is yet another full-throated reminder to companies that we have a right to repair. It’s also a clear warning that it’s high time manufacturers respected consumers. As “Warranties in the Void” exposed, the corporate behavior that necessitated warning letters last April is widespread across the electronics and appliance industries. It currently be may a standard way of doing business, but companies are on notice that it’s also probably illegal.

“There is only one way manufacturers should read today’s announcement: Clean up your act and respect our right to repair.”

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U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), stands up to powerful special interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being.

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