EUROPEAN UNION — The European Union’s Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 will require most portable electronic devices sold in the bloc to feature user-replaceable batteries starting in 2026. The rules mandate that consumers be able to remove and replace batteries using basic tools or specialized tools provided free with the product.
The regulation applies to a wide range of battery-powered devices, including laptops, headphones, e-readers, portable game consoles, wireless earbuds, and other portable electronics. Manufacturers must also make compatible spare batteries available for at least five years after a product’s release. Additional requirements under the same regulation take effect on February 18, 2027, further enhancing product longevity, repairability, and recyclability.
Certain exemptions exist. Medical devices are excluded from both Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and the related Regulation (EU) 2023/1670. Products intended for use in wet environments—such as those regularly exposed to splashing water, water streams, or full immersion—are also exempt. The EU has collected feedback on potential exemptions for wearables like smartwatches, fitness trackers, and smart glasses, though no final decision has been published.
Fairphone, a Dutch electronics company that has long designed smartphones and headphones with user-replaceable batteries, said its products already comply with or exceed the forthcoming standards. “Our current products already match and even exceed these upcoming requirements because we have focused entirely on repairability and longevity since day one,” said Alon Brandt, Fairphone’s public relations manager.
“We have actually been a driving force behind these new EU regulations, shaping them by actively partaking in discussions and meetings to show the rest of the industry what is possible when you prioritize longevity,” Brandt said.
“We design our devices to walk the walk on the circular economy from the very start, which makes baseline legal compliance just a starting point for us rather than a difficult milestone to reach,” he said.
“When designing for battery accessibility, it’s really a balancing act between user convenience, product size, and structural durability,” Brandt added.
“Making a battery easy to replace means we have to factor in extra clearance around it and carefully plan for contact wear over time, which directly impacts the overall form factor and layout of the device,” he said.
Inés Alberico, campaign manager at Right to Repair Europe, noted that while some manufacturers might consider region-specific designs, global product consistency is more common. “While there is always a possibility that some brands could attempt to limit certain repairability features to EU models, in practice, manufacturers usually prefer global product designs,” she said.
No independent assessment was available for this report.