The European Commission will be soon implementing its new regulation which mandates all cell phones and tablets sold in the European Union from February 2027 to have batteries that can be easily removed and replaced by the end user, in a bid to reduce electronic waste in the member states.
The regulation was designed to apply to all portable products sold in the internal market, besides cell phones and tablets, to help extend products’ lifetime by allowing battery replacements and make the recycling of used batteries easier.
However, exemptions have been approved for medical devices and certain so-called “wet appliances” such as toothbrushes or water flossers, in which cases batteries only need to be removable and replaceable by independent professionals instead of the end user – for safety reasons.
The new Batteries Regulation entered into force in August 2023, setting the deadlines for gradual implementation of its policies.
In anticipation of the latest part to come into effect, a draft act went into public consultation between April and May which could introduce additional exemptions to the removable batteries regulation.
The Commission was proposing to add six new product categories to the list of exemptions, including smartwatches and fitness trackers, electric toys, and products within the scope of the ATEX Directive – equipment used in explosive atmospheres such as explosion-proof motors, sensors, pumps or forklift trucks.
Taking feedback from EU citizens into consideration, the European Commission is expected to finalise the act and publish the new batteries regulation for the bloc in the following months.
The new rules will take the form of a delegated act under the Batteries Regulation.
The Commission is also planning to update the existing guidelines on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries to guide product manufacturers on applying the new derogations.
