The EU is going to tighten the nuts to mobile manufacturers. You just needed a label

As of June 20, new rules destined, according to the European Union, will be entered into force, to improve the energy efficiency and repair of smartphones and tablets. Specifically, the rules reflected in the Delegate Regulation (EU) 2023/1669Complementary to Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and relative to the energy labeling of smartphones and tablets.

Energy classification labels that you have been watching for years in appliances such as televisions, refrigerators or ovens will reach mobile phones and tablets.

In what products. Mobile phone manufacturers (including Dumb Phones), fixed wireless phones and tablets between seven and 17.4 inches, marketed from June 20, 2025, will have to show in their packaging the EPREL sticker.

The modifications in European regulations add up to this ecological design requirement to every mobile and tablet sold in the US, with the objective of “contributing to optimizing the use of fundamental raw materials and will facilitate their recycling.”

The label. The commercial label It will sound you, since you have seen it previously in appliances. On a scale from A to G, where A is the maximum score and G the minimum, the energy efficiency of the product is reflected. In the case of smartphones, in addition, there are some more than interesting data.

1. QR code with link provided by the manufacturer to product -related information.
2. Commercial brand of the device.
3. Concrete model identifier.
4. Energy efficiency scale. A is the maximum possible score. G, the worst.
5. Device efficiency level.
6. Battery autonomy per cycle measured in hours and minutes per complete battery charge.
7. Device reliability in free fall. Measure from A (better) to E (worse).
8. On the same scale of A to E, score obtained in repairs.
9. Load cycles supported by the phone until the battery reaches 80% of its maximum capacity.
10. Classification of Water Resistance, Dust and Subsibility. The IP protocol is used.
11. Regulation number. Aue is 2023/1669.

What will be taken into account. To the question “how the EU knows if a mobile is repairable or if the battery lasts 1,000 cycles” the answer is “because the manufacturer says.” All suppliers are obliged to register their models on this EPREL platform, being responsible for providing reliable data.

The regulation specifies procedures for the conformity evaluation of these data sent, specifically prohibiting devices designed to alter your performance under evidence.

Europe is pressing nuts to manufacturers. 2025 will be a good year for mobile phones, and that is that the demands that are imposing manufacturers directly point to the consumer.

• The batteries must endure at least 800 loading and download cycles maintaining 80% of their capacity.
• Manufacturers will have to make available to consumers and third parties (repair workshops) the necessary parts for repairs.
• Operating system updates must be guaranteed for at least five years.
• Non -discriminatory access of professional reparators to any software or firmware necessary for repair.

The big question is, and even more taking into account the Tariff war frameworkif these new obligations about increasing battery quality, fighting to have the most repairable phone and support for several years to any launched device will have a consequence that seems inevitable: Price increases.

How it affects us. As consumers we will have access to a very valuable tool: we can consult the quality of the battery, duration, repair and resistance of a device in a single glance. It is something that, to date, we could only consult on the manufacturer’s own website or specialized portals.

Beyond the informative level, energy labeling is a cry for smartphones manufacturers: if they want their phones to get a good score, they must take care of key aspects that, in some ranges, were more than neglected.

Economic cutting devices have been leaving aspects such as water resistance, software support or battery quality in the background. The new standards are demanding and, if you want to obtain a good score, it is no longer enough to launch a mediocre product.

Image | Xataka and European Commission

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