Right to Repair in Seattle

As a tech support technician in Washington, I’m excited about the state's new Right-to-Repair law, signed into effect on May 19, 2025. This legislation is a huge win for the computer repair, phone repair, and electronics repair industries. It ensures that consumers and independent repair providers have fair access to the parts, tools, and manuals needed to fix smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other devices.

For years, manufacturers made tech support and device repair more difficult and expensive by restricting access to replacement parts and service guides. The new law requires them to share those resources—leveling the playing field for local repair shops and do-it-yourselfers alike. It also bans "parts pairing," a software tactic that disables third-party replacement parts.

From a technician’s point of view, this law is a game-changer. It means faster laptop repairs, affordable smartphone screen replacements, and the freedom to troubleshoot problems using proper tools and documentation. Consumers benefit too—with lower repair costs, longer-lasting devices, and more repair options near them.

This new law supports sustainable tech practices, cuts down on e-waste, and helps small tech businesses in Washington compete with big brands. It’s also great news for people in rural or underserved areas who need reliable tech support and can't easily access manufacturer service centers.

In short, Washington’s Right-to-Repair law empowers everyone—from professional techs to everyday users—to fix their own tech. As someone who works in this industry every day, I can confidently say: this is progress.

Image(s) from: https://www.repair.org/stand-up and https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/06/right-repair-law-washington-state