Consumers purchasing iPads at an Apple store in Beijing on Sept 17, 2010, at the official Chinese launch of the popular tablet computer. [Photo/China Daily]

The China Consumers Association Wednesday accused Apple Inc of having "unfair" repair clauses regarding the use of spare parts, the ownership of old spare parts and compensation.

One of Apple's repair clauses states that customers allow Apple uses either new or retreaded spare parts in repair, and the replaced spare parts belong to Apple Inc.

The association said companies should use new components or parts rather than retreads during the guarantee period, according to national repair and return rules regarding computers.

During the guarantee period, Apple's repair clause states that it owns old spare parts, but that once this warranty period is over they should be returned to customers as they pay for the repairs, the association said.

"This is an infringement of the rights of customers," the association said. Another Apple clause states that the company is only responsible for the cost of repairs if damage is caused while the product is being repaired.

"Apple's rule limits the scope and amount of money involved in repair compensation and alleviates and even exempts the responsibility of operators, which should be deemed invalid," the association said.

The association also criticized clauses that Apple isn't responsible for repairing products broken during transportation.

A number of customers complained the clauses are difficult to understand.

Most of the products that need to be repaired have problems like keys failing to work, battery charger glitches and screen damage. The repair fee can be between 2,000 yuan (US$322) and 3,000 yuan.

"The clauses are too complicated," said Sophie Liu, who once had her iPhone repaired in Shanghai.