South Africa issues right-to-repair guidelines for electronics

South Africa's Competition Commission warned electronics makers that blocking independent repairers and using software to tie replacement parts to devices may breach the Competition Act. The guidelines cover phones, tablets, consoles, TVs, appliances, medical devices and backup power systems, but exclude vehicles.

• Guidelines cover phones, tablets, consoles, TVs, appliances and medical devices
• Parts pairing and post-repair warnings are a priority for investigation
• Exceptions apply to anti-theft, authentication and battery systems under transparent terms
• Guidelines are non-binding but inform penalty decisions