New Delhi, 3 May (IANS). The central government on Saturday informed that the committee constituted for the framework on the Representability Index (RI) in the mobile and electronic sector has submitted its report.
This report has been introduced to help the customers who have to face trouble in the case of repair on their devices.
The panel has submitted its report to Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
The recommendations of the committee have been designed to conform to the best global practice for the industry innovation and ease-off doing business without any obstruction.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs said that the original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are required to self -declare the repairability index based on the standard scoring criterion given in the framework, which has no additional compliance burden.
In addition, the committee recommended that the Representability Index should be displayed as a QR code on point of sale/purchase, e-commerce platforms and packaged products to make the right choice with information.
The Department of Consumer Affairs constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary Bharat Kheda to develop the framework of the Representability Index (RI) in September 2024.
The objective of the Representability Index is to create an ecosystem where consumer can avoid poor service of the product and choose the right product.
The department said that by empowering consumers with easy and hassle-free repair options, it is confirming its commitment to a self-sufficient, sustainable and consumer-friendly economy.
The analysis of complaints received on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) suggests that complaints have increased rapidly in mobile and tablet product categories. Where the number of complaints in 2022-2023 increased from 19,057 to 21,020 in 2023-2024 and 22,864 in 2024-2025.
This analysis deemed the need of transparency of information related to consumers and repair-posts related information for them.
The committee identified smartphones and tablets as a product category as a product category for notification in the initial phase of the Representability Index in the mobile and electronics sector based on the discussion.
Actively associated with relevant stakeholders including committee makers, industry associations, consumer advocacy groups and government representatives.
The ministry said, “Technological progress in India is making rapidly and more and more consumers have access to various consumer products, so the need for strong support and justified repair practice is becoming increasingly important. Effigy repair options are fundamental for numerous consumers in both rural and urban areas.”
-IANS
SKT/ABM
