Forcing USB-C, and now forcing removable batteries for phones? The EU truly is unstoppable
The EU is on a mission to make phones sustainable, and so it does that by forcing manufacturers to comply. These sustainability plans are helpful for the consumers. Recently, they have passed a legislation that would make USB-C mandatory for all smartphones, laptops, and other devices which use a physical port.
The EU has posted a press release that brings back removable batteries to all smartphones sold within the European Union (so Britain does not count). This would make batteries easier to replace and remove, including Apple’s phones.
In addition, the EU is also requiring manufacturers to develop and implement a new “due diligence” policy that addresses the process of manufacturing, using, disposing, and trading batteries. The new regulation would also require using recycled materials consisting of at least 16% cobalt, 85% lead, 6% lithium, and 6% nickel.
This regulation would apply to portable batteries (e.g. smartphones), SLI batteries (required to start ignition of vehicles), LMT (Light Means of Transport) batteries (e.g. batteries used on e-bikes and e-scooters), EV (electric vehicle) batteries, and industrial batteries.
This new regulation will affect tech giants like Apple and Samsung. When this regulation passes, these companies would have to redesign their phones and laptops, most of which do not come with removable batteries anymore (Samsung’s Galaxy S series stopped this tradition with the Galaxy S6). The regulation is still waiting approval by the European Parliament and Council, so companies may still have time prepare. Let’s see where this is headed.
Source: XDA Developers
You must be logged in to post a comment.