The European Union is on government level All smart phone batteries need to be replaced by 2027.
This week, the European Council adopted a regulation designed to cut waste and break up monopolistic practices by tech companies like Apple, Samsung and Google that make it difficult to replace parts without buying a brand new phone.
This is a big win for the right-to-repair movement. Although it only applies to the EU, the regulation has global implications, as it wouldn’t make sense to make two different smartphones – one for Europe, one for everywhere else. The regulation will likely affect the global market, changing the design of smartphones for all consumers. The EU passed a regulation in 2022, requiring a USB-C port for iPhones, which will have a similar effect globally.
Smartphones should be “removable and end-user replaceable”, meaning it should be easy to replace the battery without any technical skills. Manufacturers have until 2027 to adapt their smartphone designs to comply with EU law. The regulation applies to all batteries, including those in EVs and e-bikes, in hopes of creating a “circular economy” where waste batteries can be recycled and reused in power electronics.
The regulation includes requirements for smartphone manufacturers to collect 50 percent of lithium from waste batteries by 2027 and ramp up to 80 percent by 2031. Manufacturers will also be required to label batteries with their internal components, the amount of recycled content, and a QR code. So within five years, you’ll finally be able to replace your battery without any hassle.
Credit : mashable.com
