Leaked EU proposal could make smartphone batteries easier to replace
The vast majority of smartphones these days have sealed batteries, making it difficult to switch to a new pack. But the EU might be working on a plan to change things.
According to Het Financieele Dagblad (via XDA-Developers), the European Commission is working on a proposal that will force companies to make batteries easier to replace. The proposal, apparently set to be presented in mid-March, is said to target smartphones, tablets, and wireless earphones.
The proposal will also push for more product recycling, the re-use of raw materials, and sustainable production in general. It’s believed that the EU is also pushing for manufacturers to offer longer guarantee periods and easier access to repair information.
The EU plan also calls for more recycling of product packaging, adding that they want to see a reduction in the use of micro-plastics. In fact, the proposal suggests that manufacturers put a label on their package to disclose how many micro-plastics are released into the environment when using their products. Another initiative in the proposal include a push for an EU collection system for old phones, tablets, and chargers.
We’re glad to see the EU push for easier battery replacements in smartphones, as battery degradation is one of the main issues with old phones. And in Apple’s case, it also throttled older iPhones when battery degradation crossed a certain threshold, so a replacement could have speed implications as well.
The one major advantage of sealed batteries is that it helps to deliver a water and dust resistant smartphone. It doesn’t seem like the EU is calling for a ban on sealed batteries though, but rather barring practices like gluing batteries in place that make the replacement process more challenging. In fact, the European Commission previously advised phone brands to steer clear of using glue back in 2017.
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