The European Commission has announced exemptions to its battery regulation that will save six new categories of electronics from having to have user-replaceable batteries, including wearable devices like smartwatches. The draft exemptions, released ahead of the 2027 enforcement date, aim to balance environmental goals with product functionality and safety. The decision allows wearables to maintain their water resistance and durability without redesign.
The EU Battery Regulation and its exemptions
The European Union adopted its new Batteries Regulation in 2023 as part of the European Green Deal. The regulation requires many electronics to have user-replaceable batteries by 2027. However, the Commission has now recognized that for some product categories, replaceability could compromise essential features such as water resistance, durability, and safety. The draft exemptions list six categories: wearable devices, certain medical devices, electronic toys, portable thermometers, roof-mounted telematics devices, and devices designed for use in explosive atmospheres.
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Smartwatches, wireless earbuds, and smart glasses among exempted devices
Wearable devices exempted include smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart glasses, and other electronic devices integrated into clothing and accessories. Wireless earbuds like Apple's AirPods may also fall under the exemption as wearable devices for which safety, durability, or water resistance could be compromised by user access to the battery. These products will not need user-replaceable batteries but must remain repairable by a trained professional.
Impact on Apple and other wearable makers
Apple, which recently launched the Apple Watch Series 12 with new blood pressure features, directly benefits from this exemption. Apple Watches are known for their sealed design ensuring water resistance and longevity. The Commission's decision spares Apple from having to redesign its devices to meet the replaceable battery requirement, preserving premium features. Other manufacturers like Samsung with Galaxy Watch and Google with Pixel Watch also gain.
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Smartphones not exempt but with flexible rules
Smartphones are not exempt from the battery rule, but current regulations allow battery repairs that are not as simple as popping off the back and slotting in a new battery. Permitted replacements must not require specialized tools (or those tools must be provided by the manufacturer) and must not compromise safety. Apple's Self Service Repair program appears to qualify. The regulation has already forced Nintendo to announce a new version of the Switch 2 with a user-replaceable battery.
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Next steps and circular economy goals
With the draft exemptions adopted by the Commission, they will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for further scrutiny. If no objections arise, the exemptions will be enforced 20 days after they are published in the Official Journal of the EU. The original regulation aims to extend product life, encourage reuse, and reduce post-consumer waste. Just as analyzing PageSpeed Insights helps optimize website performance, balancing battery accessibility with device durability requires careful design. For more, check the guide on PageSpeed Insights vs Lighthouse.
For further details on the EU battery regulation, visit Wikipedia's Battery Directive page.
