EU mandates replaceable phone batteries from February 2027
Original: All phones sold in the EU to have replaceable batteries from 2027
Why This Matters
Major shift in smartphone design could reshape mobile industry practices globally
European Union regulations requiring smartphones and tablets to have user-replaceable batteries without specialized tools take effect February 18, 2027. Rules aim to reduce electronic waste from 150 million phones sold annually.
New EU regulations approved in 2023 will require all smartphones and tablets sold in Europe to feature user-replaceable batteries starting February 18, 2027. The rules mandate that batteries must be removable using commercially available tools, with specialized tools provided free if required. Replacement batteries must remain available for at least five years after the last unit is sold. Currently, built-in batteries can only be replaced by specialists at high cost, leading consumers to buy new devices. The EU estimates this could save consumers up to €20 billion by 2030. Approximately 150 million smartphones and 24 million tablets are sold annually in the EU, generating 5 million tonnes of electronic waste with less than 40% properly recycled.