The new batteries replacement legislation in the European Union

The Council of the European Union has formally approved a new law aimed at forcing technology companies to make it easier to replace batteries in the devices they make, especially smartphones.

When the law takes effect, all companies will be required to offer devices with easily replaceable batteries by 2027.

The law applies to EU member states, but in practice has similar effects in the rest of the world. This is because companies do not design products for the European Union, but for all countries.

The law covers not only smartphones, but also tablets, laptops, electric vehicles and other products with rechargeable batteries.

Companies are given three or more years to redesign their products, and the new law specifically states that users should be able to replace the battery themselves without requiring special knowledge or tools.

The law will have a significant impact on the electronics industry, especially smartphones, as the back cover and all of its components are designed to be glued together.

This law was enacted by the European Union to force technology companies to build a "circular economy" for batteries, that is, to recycle as much batteries as possible so that they can be reused.

Among other rules set out in the new law, companies must recover 63% of batteries destined for landfill, as well as 50% of the lithium in used batteries, by the end of 2027, with those percentages to increase in subsequent years.

Observers believe that redesigning smartphones to include easily replaceable batteries will affect other aspects such as dust and water resistance, but this requires special design, and may be difficult to implement while maintaining new legislation.