State-Level Right to Repair Laws Are Expanding to Industrial Equipment

By Reese Whitman

Right to repair has been a consumer electronics issue for years. Now it is reaching the factory floor. Four U.S. states — California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Colorado — have enacted or proposed legislation extending repair rights to industrial and agricultural equipment, and the movement is gaining momentum.

The core issue is familiar: manufacturers of CNC machines, industrial robots, and heavy equipment increasingly lock diagnostic software and replacement parts behind authorized dealer networks. When a $200,000 CNC mill goes down and the nearest authorized technician is three days out, the cost of waiting can dwarf the repair itself.

What the Laws Require

The new legislation generally requires OEMs to make diagnostic tools, repair manuals, firmware updates, and replacement parts available to equipment owners and independent repair shops at fair market prices. It does not require disclosure of proprietary manufacturing processes or trade secrets.

California's version, signed into law in late 2025, specifically covers industrial equipment with a purchase price above $10,000. It requires OEMs to provide diagnostic access within 30 days of a request and to make replacement parts available for a minimum of 10 years after the model's last production date.

The OEM Pushback

Equipment manufacturers argue that unauthorized repairs compromise safety certifications and void warranties. They point to cases where improper servo motor replacements on robotic arms led to safety incidents. Fanuc and several other robot manufacturers have filed legal challenges to the California law.

There is a legitimate safety concern, particularly for high-speed robotics and equipment operating near human workers. But critics note that OEMs have a financial incentive to restrict repair access regardless of safety considerations. Authorized repair contracts represent a significant revenue stream for most industrial equipment companies.

The Impact on Manufacturers

For equipment owners, these laws could reduce maintenance costs and downtime significantly. One survey of mid-size manufacturers found that 40% had experienced situations where equipment sat idle for more than a week waiting for authorized service. At an average cost of $22,000 per day of unplanned downtime, the economic argument for repair access is compelling.

For equipment OEMs, the laws force a rethinking of service business models. Some are responding proactively by creating tiered service programs that maintain brand oversight while expanding access to trained independent technicians.