Smartphones and tablets sold in Europe will have to feature replaceable batteries starting next year, according to EU rules, amid efforts to slash electronic waste across the bloc.
The new rules, approved in 2023 as part of a broader package but coming into force on February 18, 2027, state that batteries in portable devices must be designed so users can remove and replace them without any specialised tools or assistance.
Replacement batteries for any model will have to remain available to users for at least five years after the last unit of the product is placed on the market, the regulation also states.