(NAM: Washington, D.C.) -- The National Association of Manufacturers released a new study, “The Economic Downsides of Right-to-Repair,” that highlights the cost to the environment, consumer safety, and manufacturing innovation of providing unfettered access to complex software and components in manufactured goods. The study analyzes a wide range of unintended and potentially harmful consequences of “right-to-repair” legislation.

The study finds that instituting right-to-repair policies directly counteracts many federal laws which were put in place to protect both manufacturers and consumers. The study states, “Bypassing the proper channels for repair will come at a steep cost to quality, performance, consumer safety, the environment, and the broader U.S. economy.”

Notably, right-to-repair policies could seriously disrupt original equipment manufacturers’ supply chains, which would leave many consumers—especially in rural communities—without a reliable and efficient place to get repairs.

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