What can South Africa’s automotive sector learn from global markets – or even from sectors as far removed as healthcare – when it comes to access to repair data?
This is the question at the heart of Right to Repair South Africa’s (R2RSA), half day Access to Information Conference, taking place at the upcoming Automechanika Johannesburg show.
Leading the discussion, Kate Elliott, CEO of Right to Repair South Africa, will unpack the recent amendments to the South African Guidelines for Competition in the Automotive Aftermarket and look into further amendments needed, with a particular focus on including data publishers in the Guidelines. “We believe that including data publishers with mandatory access to OEM information would resolve many of the barriers independent service providers currently face,” says Elliott.
South Africa’s car park, she explains, is the most diverse in the world relative to its size, with over 30 major brands on the road.
“Each OEM has its own unique and often obscure registration process for accessing repair data. Workshops must learn to navigate multiple systems daily, which is both time-consuming and costly. The real challenge isn’t just price, it’s the complexity.”
Elliott adds that greater collaboration between OEMs, data publishers and independent workshops could radically improve the system.
“If OEMs sold their raw data to data publishers at fair market value, those publishers could standardise the information across brands. One subscription, one login, and all OEM data available – that’s how we remove the practical barriers.”
She confirms that R2RSA’s next big focus is advocating for the Guidelines to mandate access for data publishers.
“Consumers can also play their part,” she notes. “Ask your dealer if they support the right to repair. Can you buy the car without a service plan? Will the warranty be honoured if you use an independent workshop? The more consumers demand transparency, the faster we’ll see real change.”
From the international stage, Emily Holtby from the Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada will share insights from Québec’s Law 21, which has set an important precedent by amending the Consumer Protection Act to enshrine right-to-repair principles.
“This marks a major shift from voluntary cooperation to enforceable rights,” says Holtby. “Canada’s aftermarket is becoming a modern, data-driven sector that supports vehicle safety, affordability and climate goals – but it all depends on a strong, enforceable framework.”
Holtby explains that earlier efforts under Canada’s voluntary CASIS agreement proved too weak for modern, connected vehicles and lacked any enforcement mechanism.
“The breakthrough in Québec came through persistent advocacy and reframing right to repair as a consumer rights issue,” she says. “The key lesson for South Africa is that principle must be backed by practice. Guidelines and legislation only work when they’re enforceable, measurable, and evolve alongside technology.”
Adding a unique cross-sector perspective, Jan Myburgh will highlight lessons from the medical equipment industry, another field where restricted access to repair data directly impacts costs and safety.
“Owners of equipment should have the right to decide how, and with whom, they repair and maintain their equipment,” says Myburgh. “That principle applies just as much to hospitals as it does to vehicles.”
He recalls how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, biomedical engineers in the USA were unable to repair essential hospital equipment due to manufacturer restrictions, sometimes with fatal consequences.
“In South Africa, right to repair for medical devices is still in its infancy, but it can play a key role in reducing costs and driving skills development.”
Drawing parallels between the healthcare and automotive sectors, Myburgh notes that both have a thriving primary market for products, but restricted competition in their secondary service markets.
“When access to repair data is limited, customers become price takers. Repairs are slow, costly, and efficiency suffers – outcomes no industry can afford.”
Myburgh believes that collaboration across industries is vital.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with R2RSA and to share ideas that could help build more open, competitive repair ecosystems across sectors and countries.”
“The diversity of views at the conference highlights just how universal the issue of access to information has become,” says Elliott.
“This isn’t just an automotive matter – it’s a global conversation about fairness, sustainability and consumer empowerment. By learning from other sectors and countries, we can shape a more inclusive and future-ready aftermarket for South Africa.”
The Right to Repair Access to Information Conference will be held as a half-day session at Automechanika Johannesburg, designed as an interactive, solution-driven discussion led by facilitator Lerato Ditshego. Access is free and open to anyone interested, simply email kate@r2r.org.za to receive your registration link.
