The government has taken a significant step to protect the rights of consumers and ensure transparency in the repair process of goods purchased. On Friday, the Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh held a meeting with the major stakeholders of four sectors — Automobiles, Consumer Durables, Mobile and Electronics, and Farming equipment — and directed them to provide information about products, service centers, and warranty conditions on the Right to Repair Portal India.
Right to Repair Portal India
The Right to Repair Portal India is a platform that has been set up to facilitate and work as a catalyst for providing relevant repair-associated information to consumers. The portal aims to address the new as well as emerging concerns affecting consumers regarding the repair of their products. Consumers can access the portal to find information about the products they have purchased, the nearest service centers, the warranty terms and conditions, and the average lifespan of consumables.
Consumer Complaints and Problems
The direction has been issued in response to the consumer complaints and problems regarding repairs of goods purchased. According to an official release, it has been observed that repair is getting severely restricted because not only there is a considerable delay in repair but at times the products are repaired at an exorbitantly high price and the consumer who has once bought the product is hardly given any choice to get repair of their products. Often the spare parts are not available which causes consumers great distress along with monetary burden. The secretary also highlighted that if such issues are not addressed by the companies, it raises a matter of concern as to how to safeguard the rights of consumers.
Standardisation of Product Warranty Forms
The government has also asked the industry to standardise product warranty forms in four sectors to foster consumer rights and to address the new as well as emerging concerns affecting consumers for the repair of their products. The standardisation of product warranty forms will help consumers to understand the terms and conditions of warranty clearly and avoid any confusion or dispute later. Leading water purifier makers have been directed to furnish the average life span of their candles and other consumables based on specific geographies and water alkalinity, the statement said.
Conclusion
The government’s initiative to mandate warranty and service information for four sectors is a welcome move that will benefit consumers and ensure transparency in the repair process. The Right to Repair Portal India will provide consumers with easy access to relevant information and help them make informed decisions about their products. The standardisation of product warranty forms will also help consumers to know their rights and responsibilities regarding warranty claims and repairs.
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