The EU will require smartphones and tablets sold in Europe to feature user-replaceable batteries starting February 18, 2027. Under the regulation approved in 2023, batteries must be removable without specialised tools, and replacement batteries must remain available for at least five years after a product's last sale. The rules aim to reduce electronic waste — currently around 5 million tonnes annually in the EU, with less than 40% properly recycled — and could save European consumers up to €20 billion by 2030. The regulation is part of a broader package that also mandates durable batteries, five years of software updates, and universal USB-C charging ports.
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