Jakarta, ThedailyID — The European Union will require smartphones and other portable devices sold in the bloc to use user-replaceable batteries starting in 2027, in a major rule change aimed at cutting electronic waste and extending device lifespans.
The regulation forms part of the EU’s broader right-to-repair push and sustainability agenda. Lawmakers say consumers should replace aging batteries more easily instead of replacing entire devices.
Under the rules, manufacturers must design batteries that users can remove and replace with basic tools, without specialized equipment or excessive technical barriers. The regulation will apply to smartphones, tablets, and several portable electronics sold across the EU.
The policy marks a sharp shift from modern sealed-device designs, where glued-in batteries have become standard across much of the smartphone industry.
EU officials say the move aims to reduce e-waste, improve repairability, and lower pressure on raw materials used in battery production, including lithium and cobalt.
The regulation could force major brands such as Apple and Samsung Electronics to rethink device engineering for European markets.
Analysts say the impact may extend far beyond Europe, as global manufacturers often align products with EU standards rather than produce separate regional designs.
The rules also support the bloc’s wider push to strengthen consumer rights. Recent EU measures have targeted charger standardization, repair access, and product durability.
Supporters say removable batteries can lengthen phone life by years. Critics, however, argue the rules may challenge waterproofing, slim designs, and some performance trade-offs.
Still, regulators argue sustainability now outweighs those concerns.
The 2027 deadline gives manufacturers time to redesign future devices, but the policy could reshape smartphone design worldwide long before it takes effect.
