A bill to extend the battery life of smartphones and oblige them to provide repair parts for 5 years is under consideration in the EU

On August 31, 2022, the EU legislative body, the European Parliament , published a draft on smartphone and tablet battery life and the availability of spare parts for repairs. The draft aims to improve the ease of repair of smartphones and tablets, and the intention is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using the same device for a long time by repeatedly repairing it rather than purchasing a new device. showing.

Designing mobile phones and tablets to be sustainable – ecodesign
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12797-Designing-mobile-phones-and-tablets-to-be-sustainable-ecodesign_en

The EU wants to enforce better phone battery life and spare parts - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/1/23332407/european-commission-smartphone-repairability-spare-parts-energy-labels-proposals

Brussels proposes tough regulations on smartphone spare part availability | Financial Times
https://www.ft.com/content/5642b410-4311-427b-af21-c970a400ef90

Battery life and battery replaceability in smartphones and tablets have become very important for user convenience and environmental protection. Therefore, on March 10, 2022, the European Parliament adopted a rule that ``allows the removal and replacement of batteries in products with batteries''.

This is due to the EU's emphasis on reducing the environmental impact, as well as the vulnerability of raw material procurement, which was affected by Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. It is intended to regulate the state of Battery regulations prohibit companies from embedding batteries in the body so that they cannot be removed, and also require replacement batteries to be available for at least 10 years after the product is put on the market.

The European Parliament adopts a rule that ``makes the battery replaceable'' for products equipped with batteries - GIGAZINE

A new draft, released on August 31, 2022, would force manufacturers to supply at least 15 different smartphone and tablet parts to specialized repair shops for five years after the device was first sold. is planned. This guarantees consumers access to replacement batteries, displays, chargers, back covers and SIM card trays for five years.

The draft to improve the repairability of smartphones and tablets is a proposal not only for the purpose of improving user convenience but also for reducing carbon dioxide emissions throughout Europe. “By forcing manufacturers to produce products that are more durable and easier to repair, the EU can reduce e-waste, increase recycling rates and encourage the reuse of materials needed in devices,” the EU said. claim. According to the Financial Times , a British economic newspaper, extending the life cycle of smartphones by five years will reduce carbon dioxide emissions to the extent that it is almost equivalent to stopping driving five million cars.

The EU also plans to require manufacturers to pass battery endurance tests instead if they are unable to provide replacement batteries for five years, and has indicated testing criteria. Battery testing requires 80% performance after 1000 full charges and stipulates that software updates do not adversely affect battery life.

The European Parliament adopted a proposal to improve the ``right to repair'' in April 2022, and in June, unified chargers for electrical devices such as smartphones to USB Type-C and made a ``universal charger'' obligatory. We have agreed to a proposal to make it more convenient, and are actively promoting the recycling of chargers, batteries, and terminal parts. By making it easier to repair and recycle smartphones and tablets, it is expected to reduce the energy consumption associated with their manufacture and use by up to a third.

EU countries agree to unify chargers for electrical devices such as smartphones to USB Type-C, making it mandatory in the fall of 2024 - GIGAZINE

On the other hand, manufacturers argue that ``the need to obtain more parts only increases the consumption of plastic, even if electronic waste is reduced.'' EU regulations are expected to be tougher for small smartphone makers than for large companies, raising the price of smartphones overall and wiping out low-priced brands from the market. The list points out.