● Covered by 3 sources · 3 reportsMedium impact
EU Exempts Smartwatches from User-Replaceable Battery Rule
Key points
- EU exempts wearables from battery rules requiring user-replaceability.
- Products like smartwatches and fitness trackers included.
- Exemption addresses safety and design concerns of sealed devices.
- Exemption pending review by EU Parliament and Council.
- Original regulation part of EU Green Deal initiatives.
Wearable Devices Exempted from EU Battery Rule
The European Commission has amended its Batteries Regulation to exempt certain wearable devices from needing user-replaceable batteries. Previously, the regulation mandated that electronic products have batteries that users could replace.
Scope of the Exemption
The exemption applies to smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart glasses, certain medical devices, and other small electronics integrated into clothing. It aims to address concerns that accessing batteries in these devices could compromise safety, durability, or functionality due to their compact, sealed designs.
Reasoning and Process Behind the Exemption
Opening compact wearable devices, particularly those requiring sealed enclosures for water resistance, could pose safety risks. Hence, the EU has made provisions for exemptions where battery removal is neither feasible nor safe.
The exemption follows the criticism from U.S. officials regarding similar restrictions and aligns with previous exemptions for products like electric toothbrushes.
The decision requires further approval by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU before becoming official.
EU Green Initiative Context
The EU's regulation was part of broader Green Deal efforts to enhance sustainability by promoting repairability and reducing electronic waste. Although the user-replaceable battery requirement was set to be implemented by 2027, exceptions reflect practical design considerations.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
How outlets covered it
The European Commission granted exemptions to its Batteries Regulation, allowing Apple Watch and AirPods to avoid user-removable battery requirements. This change aligns with similar exemptions for devices where battery removal poses safety risks.
The European Commission announced exemptions for wearables from its battery regulation, which mandates replaceable batteries in many electronics by 2027. Devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and certain medical devices are now excluded from needing user-replaceable batteries, reflecting a shift in focus towards repairability by professionals instead.
The European Commission exempted certain wearables like the Apple Watch from user-replaceable battery requirements. This change comes after U.S. criticism of previous restrictions and allows Apple to retain its sealed battery design without redesigning for the EU.