How software could make independent repairs impossible

What if software could be used to make repair almost impossible?

Part pairing is an increasingly common practice used by manufacturers of smartphones and other electronic products to control who can and can’t perform certain types of repairs. It is made possible by serialisation of spare parts. Here is how it works: some parts have a unique serial number, which is paired to an individual unit of a device using software. If any of these parts need replacing during a repair, they will not be accepted unless remotely paired to the device again via software by the manufacturer. This approach could create major barriers to independent and self repair as we explain in our new blog post.

To find out more about this issue, join our webinar on Tuesday 13th of July at 3pm CEST. We’ll discuss the extent of the threat posed by part pairing to repairers and what policymakers should do about it. You’ll hear from:

Alexandre Isaac, founder of the Repair Academy, a French initiative that specialises in micro soldering and training of new repairers.

Marie Castelli, Back Market public affairs manager, she has been working in government relations for the past 11 years in France and Europe. She has dedicated her entire career to sustainability, first fighting for electric mobility and now defending a true circular economy and longer lifespan for electronics.

Thomas Opsomer, repair policy engineer at iFixit and member of the European Right to Repair Campaign’s Steering Group.

The webinar will last 1h and will be in English.

Please note we will close registrations on Monday, July  12th 5pm CET.