California

06 droits accordés

1. 01

   Right to spare parts, tools, and documentation

   Manufacturers of electronics and appliances sold in California for $50 or more must make the parts, tools, and documentation needed for diagnosis, maintenance, and repair available to product owners and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms.

   S'applique à smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop-computer, home-appliance, consumer-electronics

   California SB 244 — Right to Repair Act, Civil Code Section 1632.5
2. 02

   Fair and reasonable pricing for repair materials

   Manufacturers must offer parts, tools, and documentation at the lowest actual cost they charge any authorised repair provider, without requiring substantial obligations beyond the cost of the materials.

   S'applique à smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop-computer, home-appliance, consumer-electronics

   California SB 244 — Civil Code Section 1632.5(c)
3. 03

   No requirement to disclose trade secrets to use the right

   Owners and independent repair providers do not have to become authorised dealers or sign restrictive contracts to access parts, tools, and documentation. Manufacturers cannot condition access on signing away repair rights.

   S'applique à smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop-computer, home-appliance, consumer-electronics

   California SB 244 — Civil Code Section 1632.5
4. 04

   Public enforcement by city and county attorneys

   Violations are enforced by the Attorney General, district attorneys, county counsels, and city attorneys, with civil penalties up to $1,000 per day for a first violation and up to $5,000 per day for repeat violations.

   S'applique à smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop-computer, home-appliance, consumer-electronics

   California SB 244 — Civil Code Section 1632.5(g)
5. 05

   Implied warranty of merchantability under Song-Beverly

   Consumer goods sold in California carry an implied warranty of merchantability for at least 60 days and up to 1 year. Manufacturers must maintain service and parts for express-warranty products for 7 years after the last unit is sold.

   S'applique à smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop-computer, home-appliance, consumer-electronics

   Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, California Civil Code Sections 1790-1795.8
6. 06

   Coverage of products manufactured after July 2021

   The repair-materials obligation applies to products manufactured and first sold or used in California on or after 1 July 2021, even though the law took effect 1 July 2024.

   S'applique à smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop-computer, home-appliance, consumer-electronics

   California SB 244 — Civil Code Section 1632.5(b)(1)

Actions consommateur

• Request parts, tools, or documentation from the manufacturer

  1. 01Identify the model and confirm it was manufactured on or after 1 July 2021.
  2. 02Contact the manufacturer's repair portal in writing and request the specific part, tool, or service manual.
  3. 03Reference California Civil Code Section 1632.5 and the 'fair and reasonable terms' requirement.
  4. 04If denied or overcharged, save all correspondence.

• Report a non-compliant manufacturer

  1. 01Compile evidence: product model, purchase date, written request, and the manufacturer's response.
  2. 02File a complaint with the California Attorney General's Public Inquiry Unit (oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company).
  3. 03Send a parallel complaint to your local district or city attorney.
  4. 04Optionally publicise via PIRG or iFixit advocacy channels.

• Use an independent repair shop without losing rights

  1. 01Confirm the shop has access to OEM parts and documentation under SB 244.
  2. 02Ask for written confirmation that they are an 'independent repair provider' in the meaning of Civil Code 1632.5.
  3. 03Keep the invoice — under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, using an independent repairer cannot void your federal warranty.
  4. 04If a manufacturer denies a separate warranty claim because of independent repair, escalate to the FTC.

• Claim a refund or replacement under Song-Beverly

  1. 01Document the defect with photos and a written description.
  2. 02Notify the seller and manufacturer in writing within the warranty period.
  3. 03Allow a reasonable number of repair attempts (typically 2-4).
  4. 04If unresolved, file a small claims case (up to $12,500) or contact a Song-Beverly attorney.