EU mandates removable smartphone batteries starting 2027
Original: Removable batteries in smartphones will be mandatory in the EU starting in 2027
Why This Matters
Major shift toward sustainability could reshape smartphone design and extend device lifespans
Starting February 18, 2027, new smartphones and tablets sold in the EU must feature user-removable batteries. Users must be able to replace batteries using standard tools, with manufacturers required to provide replacement batteries for at least 5 years at reasonable prices.
The EU Battery Regulation requires smartphones and tablets launched after February 18, 2027 to have user-replaceable batteries. Key requirements include: batteries must be removable using standard tools like screwdrivers, adhesives requiring heat or solvents are prohibited, manufacturers must provide special tools free of charge if needed, and replacement batteries must be available for at least 5 years at reasonable prices. The regulation aims to create a circular economy by preventing electronic waste - millions of tons are generated annually in the EU. The EU estimates consumers could save tens of billions of euros by 2030 through extended device lifespans. Currently, smartphones are often discarded when battery performance declines, wasting valuable raw materials like lithium and cobalt.