Cell phone batteries should actually be able to be replaced by users themselves in the future. The EU is now making it clear: the new battery regulation does not apply to smartphones and tablets. Permanently installed batteries will accompany users for a long time.

Replaceable batteries: EU declares mobile phone exemption

In December last year, the European Parliament and the EU member states met agreed on a new battery regulation. After a generous transition period of 42 months, products sold in the EU thereafter must have an easily replaceable battery. Users only have to have commercially available tools such as screwdrivers ready.

The proposed battery regulation has been widely interpreted to mean that This also applies to smartphones and tablets. As it turns out only now when asked, this is apparently not the case (source: hot online).

The Manufacturers are offered a loophole, so that they can continue to rely on permanently installed batteries in their devices. They can refer to the ecodesign rules that have already been adopted if their smartphones or tablets already have a “higher level of environmental and health protection”.

Specifically, manufacturers have a choice: They can design their devices so that the battery can be easily replaced. If you opt for a permanently installed variant, the battery must still have at least 83 percent of its original capacity after 500 charging cycles. After 1,000 charging cycles, it must still be at least 80 percent.

The battery in the Fairphone 4 can already be easily replaced:

Mobile phone batteries: Ecodesign rules are enough for the EU

According to the EU Commission, the ecodesign rules are sufficient. They would already ensure a higher level of environmental and health protection, what in terms of the longevity of electronic devices may be. The ecodesign rules will come into force before the new battery regulation. Manufacturers are granted a transitional period of 21 months.

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