They already know how to avoid the norm

After the USB-C victorythe European Union has set its eye on another aspect of our mobile phones and He wants batteries to be easily removable by 2027. The objective behind this change is twofold: to extend the useful life of the devices and, in the process, reduce electronic waste. The deadline for the change is February 18, 2027, just over nine months, and it is striking that The big mobile brands haven’t said a word. There is a reason for his silence.

Open consultation on exemptions. The Commission has proposed adding more products to the list of exemptions, including smartwatches or activity bracelets and electric toys. At the end of April, The European Commission opened a public consultation so that whoever wishes can express their opinions about the standard, which includes citizens, companies, academics or public authorities.

Total silence. This consultation, which closes on May 26, is an opportunity for manufacturers of affected products to present their complaints and thus avoid applying the standard. Returning to removable batteries would mean profoundly changing the designs of the majority of mobile phones that we use today, which is why the silence of smartphone manufacturers is striking. Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO… so far no one has raised their voice to oppose the measure. Because?

The small print. There is a reason why there are no complaints from mobile phone manufacturers, and it is that they have already found a way to not have to apply it. In the fine print of the new law, it contemplates two conditions by which the devices are exempt from applying the standard:

• Battery Durability: if it retains 83% of nominal capacity after 500 charge cycles or 80% after 1,000 charge cycles.
• Water resistance: devices that have an IP67 certification or higher.

High-end mobile phones (and many mid-range ones) already meet these conditions, so they will not have to make big changes. In addition, manufacturers have the ability to ensure that their devices have longer-lasting batteries, as well as waterproof designs, even in the low ranges.

Who has complained?. The consultation has collected complaints from other types of manufacturers that are dedicated to small accessories such as wireless headphones and other wearables. Companies such as Shenzhen Baseus Technology and Conduction Labs state that making certain products with removable batteries is “technically infeasible without destroying the product.” They refer, above all, to devices such as headphones or rings, which are not currently part of the list of exemptions.

What does the norm say?. The European Commission recently detailed what he means by removable battery and what standards electronic devices must comply with from 2027. They are as follows:

• The battery must be “easily removable.” This doesn’t mean that cell phones are going to be like your old Nokia, but that the battery has to be removable with “commercially available tools.” If a specific tool is needed, the manufacturer is obliged to supply it free of charge.
• The user must not use, under any circumstances, heat or solvents to disassemble the mobile phone, so the use of glue is restricted.
• Manufacturers will be required to provide clear instructions so that anyone can remove and replace the battery.
• The software cannot hinder the battery replacement process, for example blocking it because the change was not made at an official service.
• Manufacturers must sell replacement batteries for at least five years after the product is removed from the market.
• The price of batteries must be “reasonable and non-discriminatory.”

Image | Apple

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