EU plans to bring back user-replaceable batteries for phones and other devices – Times of India
After making USB-C mandatory and forcing manufacturers to open their smartphones to alternative app stores, the European Union (EU) is back with another proposal that would require “portable devices,” such as phones, to have user-replaceable batteries.
The new rules aim to make batteries more sustainable and durable and apply to all sorts of batteries sold in the EU region, including portable batteries, SLI batteries — powering vehicles, LMT batteries — that powers electric scooters, bikes, EV batteries, and industrial batteries.
EU wants to make it easy for users to remove and replace batteries
The proposal says that moving forward, batteries should easily be removable, and replaceable. Further, the EU wants to create awareness among consumers. To provide information to consumers, the batteries must have labels and QR codes informing their capacity, performance, durability, and chemical composition.
The LMT and industrial batteries of above 2KWh capacity and EV batteries will need to have a “digital battery passport,” which would inform users of the battery model and information related to it and its use. Furthermore, a “carbon footprint declaration and label” will be necessary for batteries other than ones intended for portable devices.
Manufacturers to get three-and-a-half years to make batteries user replaceable
If the legislation passes, manufacturers will have three-and-a-half years to comply with the rules and rework their devices so that users can easily remove and replace the batteries.
EU wants manufacturers to also address environmental concerns
Additionally, the committee wants all the manufacturers dealing with battery-powered devices in the EU to implement a “due diligence policy” to address the social and environmental risks of sourcing, processing, and trading raw materials for batteries.
Further, the EU requires old batteries to be collected and aims to have at least 45% of old batteries gathered by 2023 for portable devices. Meanwhile, for LMT batteries, the target is 51% by 2028. The legislation also sets a minimum level of recycled materials necessary for procuring batteries, which should at least include 16% cobalt, 85% lead, 6% lithium, and 6% nickel.
Why EU’s rule on batteries could be a headache for smartphone makers
A few years ago, user-replaceable batteries used to be the norm but not anymore, as manufacturers move towards more complex designs, prioritising the slim and sleek look for phones, with water and dust resistivity being also a key factor. Now, if the new rules come in, manufacturers will have to go back to the board to redesign their devices to make batteries replaceable while keeping things simple for consumers also.
The new rules aim to make batteries more sustainable and durable and apply to all sorts of batteries sold in the EU region, including portable batteries, SLI batteries — powering vehicles, LMT batteries — that powers electric scooters, bikes, EV batteries, and industrial batteries.
EU wants to make it easy for users to remove and replace batteries
The proposal says that moving forward, batteries should easily be removable, and replaceable. Further, the EU wants to create awareness among consumers. To provide information to consumers, the batteries must have labels and QR codes informing their capacity, performance, durability, and chemical composition.
The LMT and industrial batteries of above 2KWh capacity and EV batteries will need to have a “digital battery passport,” which would inform users of the battery model and information related to it and its use. Furthermore, a “carbon footprint declaration and label” will be necessary for batteries other than ones intended for portable devices.
Manufacturers to get three-and-a-half years to make batteries user replaceable
If the legislation passes, manufacturers will have three-and-a-half years to comply with the rules and rework their devices so that users can easily remove and replace the batteries.
EU wants manufacturers to also address environmental concerns
Additionally, the committee wants all the manufacturers dealing with battery-powered devices in the EU to implement a “due diligence policy” to address the social and environmental risks of sourcing, processing, and trading raw materials for batteries.
Further, the EU requires old batteries to be collected and aims to have at least 45% of old batteries gathered by 2023 for portable devices. Meanwhile, for LMT batteries, the target is 51% by 2028. The legislation also sets a minimum level of recycled materials necessary for procuring batteries, which should at least include 16% cobalt, 85% lead, 6% lithium, and 6% nickel.
Why EU’s rule on batteries could be a headache for smartphone makers
A few years ago, user-replaceable batteries used to be the norm but not anymore, as manufacturers move towards more complex designs, prioritising the slim and sleek look for phones, with water and dust resistivity being also a key factor. Now, if the new rules come in, manufacturers will have to go back to the board to redesign their devices to make batteries replaceable while keeping things simple for consumers also.
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