Yesterday, the European Parliament voted in favor of a law which will soon require manufacturers to integrate removable batteries into their electronic devices. After the switch to USB-C on the iPhone, here is a new restriction that Apple will have to comply with on the Old Continent. For the EU, this is above all about promoting sustainable development and the circular economy.
Europe has been calling on manufacturers for some time to install removable batteries on their devices, especially on smartphones where these are regularly glued to the rest of the components. This practice now prevents many users from easily repairing their devices, forcing them to go through an often expensive repairer. Not to mention those who simply decide to buy a new model at the slightest glitch, which is not very ideal for the environment.
Yesterday, the European Parliament decided to finally take the leap by adopting a law obliging manufacturers to use removable batteries. This stipulates that the batteries must be easily removable by the owner of the device, in order to be replaced just as easily. A clear and assumed way to fight against planned obsolescence, also encouraging users to turn to more ecological solutions than buying a new device.
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This is not the only measure provided for by this law. This stipulates that battery manufacturers will also have to work to improve the recycling rate of the latter. Parliament thus hopes that by 2031, 80% of the lithium and 95% of the other metals that make up the barries will have to be reusable. In addition to ending planned obsolescence, the EU is therefore also promoting a more circular economy, which would reduce the impact of the electronics industry on the environment.
Either way, it’s a new law that risks thwarting Apple’s plans. The Apple brand already has a lot to do with the recent imposition of the USB-C port on its iPhones, which will arrive on the next model. Here is a new element that she will have to take into account for the manufacture of her future devices, she who does not hesitate today to charge 119 euros for the replacement of a battery.
