These changes come within a package of laws approved by the European Union in 2023, with the main requirements starting from February 2027.
The new rules stipulate that the batteries of many portable electronic devices must be removable and replaceable using simple tools or tools included with the device, and manufacturers are also obligated to provide replacement batteries for several years after the products are put on the market.
These requirements include laptops, headphones, e-readers, and handheld gaming devices, with limited exceptions for some specialty products.
Closed end devices
Over the years, technology companies have tended to design devices with built-in batteries that are difficult to replace, which has caused many users to resort to maintenance centers or replace their devices entirely when battery performance deteriorates.
The European Union believes that this approach contributed to increasing the volume of electronic waste and accelerating the device replacement cycle. Under the new legislation, the average user should be able to remove and replace the battery without the need for specialist equipment or the use of materials such as solvents and complex adhesives.
The rules also encourage the design of devices that support repair and reuse for longer periods.
Beginning of preparation
Reports indicate that some companies have already begun developing products that comply with the new European requirements. Companies such as Fairphone and Sennheiser have adopted designs that allow batteries to be replaced more easily, while expectations are increasing that other companies will resort to redesigning their products in the coming years.
Recent reports also indicated that Nintendo may launch modified versions of its portable device to comply with European requirements for replaceable batteries.
Challenges and opportunities
Despite the widespread welcome from advocates of the right to repair, there are still questions about how the laws are applied in practice, and the extent of companies’ commitment to providing spare parts at reasonable prices, in addition to the balance between the ease of replacing the battery and maintaining features such as water and dust resistance.
Experts believe that these legislations may push the sector to adopt a new design philosophy that focuses on sustainability and extending the life of products, which may reflect positively on consumers and the environment at the same time, and return the concept of the replaceable battery to the forefront of the technology industry after years of absence.
