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Equipment Manufacturers and Dealers release Statement of Principles

The Associations of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Dealers (EDA) are rolling out an initiative they say makes Right to Repair legislation unnecessary.

AEM president Dennis Slater says the industry is joining forces to provide farmers diagnostic and repair tools to minimize downtime and maximize ag equipment productivity.

“The Equipment Manufacturers believe in the end-user’s right to repair their equipment, but the right to repair is not the right to modify.  Manufacturers invest in civil resources in developing software that has revolutionized farm equipment.”

The Statement of Principles unveiled by AEM and EDA Thursday will allow tractor and combine owners access to manuals, product guides, fleet information, and other resources for equipment put into service beginning in 2021.

EDA president Kim Rominger says the goal is to get the end-user up and running as quickly as possible with as little cost as possible.

“While ensuring that the safety and emissions components of the equipment remain intact.”

Equipment manufacturers and dealers have opposed Right to Repair proposals in various state legislatures because of those safety and emission compliance concerns.

Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska are among eight states with Right to Repair bills in the works.