Starting in 2027, Europe will require that mobile phones have replaceable batteries and be easier to fix.
Planned obsolescence is a business strategy that involves making devices that only work for a short time so that they stop working or become useless after a certain amount of time. This forces the user to buy a new device. European consumers have been able to legally get their devices fixed since March 2021. According to EU law, companies that sell refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, TVs, and cell phones in the EU must guarantee that they can be repaired for up to ten years. This is meant to "reduce the huge amount of e-waste that builds up every year on the continent."
This initiative is part of a broader plan to reduce the environmental impact of manufactured products by making them more durable and energy-efficient. Specifically, manufacturers are required to guarantee the availability of spare parts for at least ten years. Furthermore, after this period, devices must include maintenance manuals and be designed to be disassembled using standard tools when they cannot be repaired, thus facilitating recycling.
In addition, the European Commission proposed strengthening consumer rights in the event of breakdowns of household appliances such as televisions and washing machines, requiring manufacturers to repair them instead of replacing them for up to ten years after purchase. Furthermore, to encourage appliance repair and extend their lifespan, since June of last year, it has been mandatory for electronic devices sold in the European Union to display an energy efficiency label indicating whether a mobile phone, tablet, or television is energy efficient; easy to repair; and durable, among other requirements.
In a new step that promotes sustainability policies to reduce the volume of electronic waste, the European Union has decided to stop the production of short-life mobile phones.
Specifically, the resolution stipulates that, starting in 2027, smartphones sold in member states will be equipped with longer-lasting batteries, allowing them to withstand more charge cycles without losing capacity. Furthermore, it will become mandatory for batteries to be user-replaceable, meaning manufacturers will abandon standardized designs that require special tools for battery removal.
With this measure, the right to repair is no longer merely a recommendation but a technical requirement that will directly impact the design of future smartphones. In addition to hardware components, European regulations also affect device lifespan through after-sales services. Consequently, manufacturers will not only be obligated to guarantee the availability of genuine spare parts for extended periods but will also provide software updates for a minimum guaranteed duration.
In short, this is Brussels' response to the concept of planned obsolescence, aimed at preventing devices from becoming obsolete due to incompatibility. Furthermore, although the legal framework is already in place, the sector will undergo an adaptation period to comply with the new requirements, giving manufacturers the coming months to adjust their production processes and logistics before implementation in 2027.
Brussels asserts that prioritizing reform whenever possible not only helps reduce costs but also aligns with the goals of the Green Deal by reducing waste and material consumption in the manufacture of new products.