In recent years we have become accustomed to the fact that, when a mobile phone starts to have battery life problems, the normal thing to do is replace the entire phone instead of just replacing the batteryWhat not so long ago could be solved by removing the back cover and fitting a new battery, today usually involves an appointment at a technical service, industrial glue and a bill that often doesn't pay off.
This scenario has an expiration date in Europe. The European Union has approved a new legal framework that will require that the removable batteries mobile phones, tablets and a large part of portable devices are easily removable by the user Starting in 2027. The change not only affects the internal design of the devices, but also places clear limits on the use of proprietary software and tools to prevent the user from performing the replacement on their own.
A problem of waste and obsolescence that has set off alarm bells
Behind this commitment to removable batteries lies not only a question of convenience, but also a major environmental problem linked to electronic wasteIn 2022, approximately 62 million tons of electronic waste were generated worldwide, a figure that could skyrocket to 82 million tons by 2030 if nothing changes.
Much of that waste comes from Mobile phones, computers, and household appliances that are discarded while the device is still functionalBut the battery has lost capacity or its repair has become so expensive that it no longer makes economic sense. The EU has been taking action for years with circular economy regulations and the right to repair, and now it has decided to tackle one of the most sensitive issues: the practical impossibility of replacing the battery at home.
During the era of Nokia, Motorola, or BlackBerry phones, Normally, the user could remove the battery in seconds.With the arrival of ultra-compact smartphones, manufacturers embraced sealed designs, with batteries glued to the chassis and delicate internal connectors. This resulted in less repairability and a need to replace the device every few years, with the associated environmental impact.
The community response comes through the Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and accumulators and their waste, approved in 2023, which sets a new standard for all products incorporating portable batteries in the community market.
What exactly does the EU require regarding removable batteries?
The regulations are clear: Any person or company that markets products with portable batteries in the EU must ensure that they are easily removable and replaceable by the end user. throughout the device's lifespan. This includes mobile phones, tablets, and most portable devices with rechargeable batteries.
The key lies in the expression “easily removable”. The European Commission clarified in a subsequent communication that a battery is considered easily removable when It can be withdrawn using commercially available toolswithout resorting to specialized tools unless they are supplied free of charge with the product or the replacement part.
Brussels explicitly bans three common practices in current smartphone design: no heat, no chemical solvents, and no tools protected by intellectual property rightsIn practice, this means saying goodbye to batteries fixed with adhesives that require the use of heat guns or isopropyl alcohol to remove them, and returning to simpler solutions such as screws or extraction tabs.
The regulations also require that The instructions for changing the battery are readily available.These instructions must appear on the product packaging or in the user manual, and they must also be published on a website that users can access at any time. It's not just about being able to open the device, but about ensuring that anyone knows how to do so safely.
The software will no longer be able to block battery replacement
The European standard doesn't stop at hardware. One of the practices that has generated the most criticism in recent years is the so-called “parts pairing” or software-based parts pairingThis means that when a battery or component is replaced, the system detects that it is not the "original" part or that it is not registered, and limits functions, issues persistent warnings, or even prevents the device from being used correctly.
The new regulation eliminates that possibility in the battery sector. The text states that The software may not be used to obstruct the replacement of a portable battery with a compatible one.In other words, if the user installs a battery that meets the necessary technical specifications, the operating system will not be able to block it, hide information about its status, or degrade the user experience.
This prohibition seeks to prevent, Even if it is physically possible to change the battery, the manufacturer makes the process unfeasible with software limitations.Until now, in some models, after a battery change the phone would stop displaying component health data, show constant warnings, or deactivate functions, indirectly pushing the user towards the official technical service.
Under the new legal framework, these types of strategies are banned in the European market, opening the door to... Independent repair and self-service replacement are gaining ground in the next years.
Exceptions: when will the continued use of non-removable batteries be permitted
Although on paper it might seem that all mobile phones sold in the European Union will have a battery as affordable as those in old flip phones by 2027, the reality is more nuanced. The regulation introduces an important escape route for manufacturers, linked to battery life and device durability.
Devices may continue to use sealed designs—without easy user access to the battery—if two technical conditions are met: that the battery maintains at least 83% of its capacity after 500 complete charging cyclesor 80% after 1.000 cycles, and that the device It has a dust and water resistance certification equivalent to IP67
In practice, this means that Much of the current high-end range could avoid the obligation to offer a removable battery.Advances in lithium-ion chemistry and new blends such as silicon-carbon are allowing many mid-range and high-end smartphones to easily exceed those charge cycle thresholds without falling below 80% capacity.
Furthermore, most flagship models from major manufacturers already boast IP67 certification or higherThis has become a key selling point. This combination of battery life and water resistance fits perfectly with the regulations that allow for compact and airtight designs.
The likely result is a two-speed market: High-end models that will remain sealed but with longer-lasting batteriesAnd devices in more affordable ranges, unless they significantly improve the quality of their cells, will have to adopt more repairable designs with more direct access to the battery.
How the internal design of mobile phones and other devices will change
The user demand for removable batteries will force manufacturers to rethink the internal architecture of many productsFor more than a decade, the trend has been the opposite: unibody cases, increasingly thinner, with the battery glued to the plate and flex cables that are difficult to access.
From 2027 onwards, for devices that do not meet the requirements to qualify for the exception, It will no longer be acceptable to use adhesive as the primary fixing systemInstead, regulations are pushing towards removable solutions: standard screws, internal frames that are released with a screwdriver, tabs that allow the battery to be pulled out without damaging it, or specific housings that facilitate its removal.
This does not necessarily mean going back to those phones with plastic back cover that opened with a fingernailAlthough some manufacturers might explore that path again. It's more about phones that, without sacrificing a refined finish, incorporate mechanisms designed to allow the user to access the battery module without having to disassemble half the phone.
In this context, it is inevitable to recall experiments such as the one... The LG G5, one of the last major attempts to offer a modular mobile phone with a swappable batteryThat model allowed you to remove the bottom part of the phone to take out the battery in a matter of seconds and, in addition, add extra modules such as a camera grip.
Despite its originality, the proposal did not take hold: The closures weren't as precise as expected, there were few compatible modules, and the market shifted towards sealed unibody devices.The new European regulations do not require reviving such a radical solution, but they do remind us that there are alternatives to make accessing the battery less traumatic than it is now.
Direct impact on the user: longer lifespan and fewer visits to technical service
From the consumer's point of view, the big change will be that It will be more logical and cheaper to change the battery than to change the mobile phone. when the battery life starts to decline. Since it doesn't require special tools or heat, the replacement can be done at home or in small neighborhood workshops without significant investment in equipment.
The regulation also requires that the Replacement batteries should be available for at least five years. from the point of product marketing, and that its price is neither disproportionate nor discriminatory. This means that it will not be acceptable to inflate the cost of the replacement part to the point that it becomes more cost-effective to buy a new device.
If the standard is followed in practice, many users will be able to keep your same phone for longerReplacing the battery when it loses capacity at a reasonable cost. This aligns with other EU policies, such as the requirement to provide spare parts for certain electronic devices for up to ten years.
A positive effect is also expected on the second-hand market: If replacing the battery is easy, used mobile phones gain valueBecause the buyer can restore the device to virtually new condition with a relatively simple procedure. All of this contributes to extending the lifespan of each device by generating less waste.
However, the real impact will depend on how many models take advantage of the durability and IP certification exceptions, and how manufacturers interpret the concept of "ease" when designing battery access.
How does this measure fit into the European sustainability strategy?
The requirement to have removable batteries does not come in isolation, but as part of a broader circular economy strategy and the right to repair which the European Union has been developing for years. First it was the turn of the single USB-C charger, which aims to reduce the number of cables and adapters in drawers; now the focus shifts to the most critical component of any portable device: the battery.
The end goal is clear: reduce the generation of technological waste, lower maintenance costs and strengthen the repair sector Faced with the constant replacement of devices, the battery regulation joins other rules that require manufacturers to maintain technical manuals and spare parts for long periods, something that until recently depended more on the goodwill of each brand than on a legal requirement.
Furthermore, this policy is part of the debate on the scheduled obsolescenceThat is, the practice of designing products with a de facto limited lifespan. By making it easier and cheaper to extend the life of a mobile phone by replacing its battery, the EU is trying to prevent consumers from being forced to replace their devices for a relatively inexpensive component.
This shift also has industrial consequences: Brands will need to redirect part of their R&D towards repairabilityIt's not just about power or design. The technological challenge lies in reconciling water- and dust-resistant devices with mechanisms that allow battery replacement without compromising the other components.
In this context, some manufacturers might use New generation batteries, such as silicon-carbon batteries, to improve durability and reduce the need for frequent replacementsOthers, especially in the more economical segments, will be forced to abandon glue and opt for more modular designs that facilitate user intervention.
Everything suggests that, in the coming years, we will see a greater diversity of design solutions around removable batteriesFrom virtually sealed mobile phones with accessible battery modules using just a few screws, to more classic options with removable covers and easily interchangeable parts.
Ultimately, the new European framework on removable batteries aims to ensure that the decision to replace a device is not driven by a worn-out and difficult-to-replace battery, but by the user's true need and the actual useful life of the deviceIf manufacturers adhere to the spirit of the standard and not just the fine print, European consumers will have more leeway to extend the lifespan of their mobile phones and other gadgets, and the environmental impact of consumer electronics will be tangibly reduced.