4w ago

The EU smartphone repairability law will take effect on 20 June

energy-efficient-products.ec.europa.eu

Smartphones and Tablets

Manufacturers will be required to offer spare parts and publish security updates for an extended period. Energy labels will show a repairability index as well as energy efficiency.

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Highlights
sufficiently durable batteries which can withstand at least 800 charge and discharge cycles while retaining at least 80% of their initial capacity
rules on disassembly and repair, including obligations for producers to make critical spare parts available within 5-10 working days, and for 7 years after the end of sales of the product model on the EU market
availability of operating system upgrades for longer periods (at least 5 years from the date of the end of placement on the market of the last unit of a product model)
non-discriminatory access for professional repairers to any software or firmware needed for the replacement
It applies from 20 June 2025.
- God I fucking love the EU. I hope the UK adopts most of these, but safe to say the EU will force the industry in a certain direction globally.
No requirements on replaceable batteries? That's the main thing that's missing here. That and making the USB-C port easy to repair, and suddenly you no longer need new phones, just extended software support and repairs.
- User replaceable batteries are a part of the new battery directive and will be in force from sometime in 2027 if I recall correctly.
- No requirements on replaceable batteries?
  Its in there. At least for phones without a high enough waterproof rating
  making the USB-C port easy to repair
  As far as I know it should be in there too, or at least a „make significant parts replaceable”
  
  Its in there. At least for phones without a high enough waterproof rating
  Gonna guess all the phone manufacturers will coincidentally determine that waterproofing is a feature desperately needed by the European market on all tiers.
  Also won't affect iPhones since they're already all "waterproof."
  
  Wait, really? I'd love to see replaceable batteries make a comeback, but something tells me that companies will prefer to up the water resistance instead.
EU actual laws vs headlines about non excisting laws. Refering to other threads.
Great for consumers once again.
- It really sounds great, but I've also read that the law contains zero directions/rules on prices for the replacement parts. So you might be able to get a replacement battery for your 200€ phone, but having to pay 200€ for it.
  I man I hope not, and maybe not every company will go out of their way to follow the most malicious interpretation of the law they can (competitors might not, it's still a somewhat competitive market).
  
  you might be able to get a replacement battery for your 200€ phone, but having to pay 200€ for it.
  On the assumption that consumers are somehow rational and have some memory, that "trick" only work once.
  Next time a consumer get stuck with a practically irreplaceable battery because it's too expensive from a company, they will look at other companies selling equivalent products, AND how much they are charging for batteries. I also imagine a business of spare parts because just having to give the right data, e.g. specifications like cell, module, pack, C-rate, E-rate, SOC, DOD, voltage, capacity, energy, cycle life, but also connectors and just size, will probably open up dedicated spare part vendors.
Damn, I just bought a tablet last month. But at least I stuck to my Nokia phone so the replacement, when it becomes necessary, will fall under these rules. This ought to be quite nice, can't wait for the reactions from the big manufacturers.
Replacing batteries in waterproof Phones isn't a great challenge by an tech service. Repairable don't necessarly mean DIY for the user. Most repair in phones need anyway an tech service. iPhone store certainly don't repat it, the want to sell a new Phone, but this don't mean that a tech service isn't capable to do it, there are infinite examples of repaired iPhones (changing a broken scree, battery, plugs and more). The only problem is to obtain replacement pieces from the brand, but this is what the EU will force, that the brand also sell this pieces, which Apple not always do.

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