EU is nothing if not the playground of regulation but this seems to be a good idea given how rare some components of (smartphone) batteries are:
Smartphone manufacturers have intentionally made it difficult for users to replace their batteries, but new stringent regulations imposed by the European Union (EU) are set to bring about a change. In the near future, smartphone manufacturers will be compelled by the EU to allow users to replace their batteries.
These strict regulations, which received endorsement from the European Parliament this week, have the potential to prevent millions of phones from ending up in landfills. Every year, over 150 million smartphones are discarded, contributing to the overwhelming problem of electronic waste. By facilitating easier battery replacements, this surge of e-waste can be mitigated. Currently, existing phones enclose their batteries within the device, making battery replacement almost as expensive as purchasing a new phone.
The implementation of these new measures will help break the cycle of excessive consumption, as stated by MEP Achille Variati. He emphasized, “For the first time, we have comprehensive circular economy legislation that encompasses the entire lifespan of a product—an approach that benefits both the environment and the economy.” Variati further highlighted, “We have agreed upon measures that greatly benefit consumers: batteries will be efficient, safer, and easier to remove.”
Of course EU, unlike the United States, doesn’t particularly care about competitiveness or red tape and the aforementioned measure is a part of greater “green” strategy design to send “dirty” and “unwanted” activities out of Europe. On the other hand, we can’t afford to fill the landfills with “rare earth elements”…
