Apple to accredit independent repair shops in Vietnam

U.S. consumer electronics giant Apple will extend to Vietnam a program that provides independent repair shops with access to genuine parts.

In a blogpost Monday, the company said it would open registrations for the program later this week for Vietnam and 37 other markets including Australia, South Korea and the UAE.

In other countries like China, it will begin later this year.

This means customers will not need to visit Apple authorized service providers to get their iPhone and Macbook problems fixed and can instead go to third-party repair providers.

Interested businesses can join the program for free but must have an Apple-certified technician (certification is also free) doing the repairs.

The technicians must pass exams through an online authorized testing center and the certification is updated on a product basis annually.

Apple said further applicants must be an established business with documents available for review by it, and have easily accessible premises and not a residential address.

“Qualifying repair providers can purchase genuine Apple parts and tools at the same price as [authorized service providers] and receive free access to training, repair manuals and diagnostics,” Apple wrote.

There are already over 1,500 accredited independent repair shops in the U.S., Canada and Europe.