Concern for nature which has been exploited over the years is growing and policymakers have started taking a firm stance on it. Similarly, the European Union has recently voted to enact a new rule that will mandate all new cell phones feature user-replaceable batteries. The target implementation for this law is set for 2027. Users will be able to replace the batteries of their smartphones. The reason behind such a big step is the EU’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030 whose important component it considers is to make a more robust and repairable battery.
It’s a triumph for the users who wanted such reforms in the tech world for a long time. Users will be able to replace the battery easily thus increasing the lifespan of smartphones which will for sure result in less electronic waste production. Companies will also be bound to provide information on repairability including guides and tutorials.
Commenting on this law, Teresa Ribera, the Spanish minister for the ecological transition said, “Batteries are key to the decarbonization process and the EU’s shift towards zero-emission modes of transport. At the same time, end-of-life batteries contain many valuable resources and we must be able to reuse those critical raw materials instead of relying on third countries for supplies. The new rules will promote the competitiveness of European industry and ensure new batteries are sustainable and contribute to the green transition.”
Nonreplaceable batteries were created to combat technical constraints like waterproofing and design restrictions. Now smartphone manufacturers won’t be manufacturing smartphones with replaceable batteries for the EU and smartphones with nonreplaceable batteries for the rest of the world. So this law might have a global effect eventually thus pushing smartphone manufacturers to manufacture smartphones with removable batteries not only for the EU but also for other markets.
