Batteries in smartphones and other devices should be easily replaceable: EU is preparing new law

Manufacturers of smartphones and other devices will have to provide easy access to batteries so that users can replace them themselves if necessary. Such a requirement – among others – will appear in new EU rules related to the circulation of electronics batteries. The current rules will be revised to take into account “technological developments and future challenges”.

The new rules will cover the entire life cycle of batteries – from development to disposal. And they will be applied to all types of batteries sold in the EU – and to batteries in smartphones and other devices, as well as batteries for cars with internal combustion engines and even to power cells for electric cars.

Members of the European Parliament and the European Council have reached a preliminary agreement according to which batteries must become more environmentally friendly, efficient and reliable. Manufacturers will have to declare the carbon emissions associated with the life cycle of batteries.

Besides, there will be special labeling requirements for batteries with a capacity greater than 2 kWh. With information about the capacity, reliability and even the chemical composition of the battery users will be able to get acquainted with special stickers and QR-codes. Batteries for electric cars will have to have special passports, which will contain complete information about the battery model and all the necessary information about their proper use.

Easy replacement, as noted, is another important point in the new rules: 3.5 years after the new rules come into force, all portable batteries and the devices must be designed so that users can easily remove and replace the battery themselves.

By 2023, the agreement requires that 45 percent of used batteries be collected, 63 percent by 2027, and 73 percent by 2030. The agreement also calls for rationing the use of recycled cobalt, lead, lithium and nickel batteries in new products.

And by December 31, 2030 the European Commission plans to evaluate the possibility of complete rejection of the use of general-purpose batteries that cannot be recharged on the territory of the European Union.

Representatives of the European authorities are sure that the adoption of laws covering the entire life cycle of batteries will have a positive impact both on the environment and on the economy. Moreover, it could lead to the construction of large-scale recycling facilities for used batteries in the EU.

For the new agreement to take effect, the European Parliament and the European Council must formally approve it.

In early 2022 the EU decided to use a single connector standard for mobile devices, and by the fall of 2024 all chargers, headphones, speakers, cameras and other devices must have a universal connector format USB Type-C.

This rule will primarily affect new versions of iPhones, since most other smartphones already use Type-C. All iPhone 15 models are expected to say goodbye to the Lightning port and switch to Type-C starting next year.