EU Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 and Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 will require that most electronic devices with batteries allow users to remove and replace the battery using basic or free‑provided tools, and that spare batteries be sold for at least five years, starting February 18 2027. The rules apply to smartphones, tablets, headphones, e‑readers, portable game consoles, laptops and other battery‑powered products, except where exemptions apply. Smartphones and tablets are already covered by a separate regulation that mandates spare parts availability for seven years, and the battery exemption applies when a battery retains 83 percent capacity after 500 cycles, 80 percent after 1,000 cycles and the device has an IP67 rating, allowing professional‑only replacement. Medical devices and products designed for regular water exposure are also exempt, as are wearables that may be difficult to service due to small battery compartments.

Manufacturers are preparing for the requirements. Fender’s Mix headphones expose battery access through an ear cushion, and Sennheiser’s Momentum 5 headphones allow replacement with a Phillips‑head screwdriver. Fairphone has long offered user‑replaceable batteries in its smartphones and headphones, including the Fairphone 6 and Fairbuds, and its CEO Raymond van Eck said the company has shaped the regulations by participating in EU discussions. Amazon has indicated plans to release Kindle e‑readers with replaceable batteries, and leaked images suggest the Xbox Elite 3 controller may also feature a user‑replaceable battery. Rumors indicate a future Nintendo Switch 2 model could include a removable battery, expected for launch in Europe.

The timeline gives companies more than two years to redesign products. While many audio and handheld devices already meet the criteria, smartphone manufacturers may rely on battery longevity rather than user‑replaceability, as the separate phone regulation permits professional‑only service when battery capacity loss is limited and the device has an IP67 rating. Apple recently changed the adhesive used for battery compartments in its latest iPhones, a modification that meets EU durability standards, though Apple has not commented on the connection.

The scope of the law raises questions about tool availability and pricing for spare parts. Right to Repair Europe noted that “commercially available tools” could include specialized electronics screwdrivers, and that the lack of a defined price ceiling for spare parts may lead to legal clarification. Some analysts expect that the regulation will drive broader adoption of replaceable batteries, while others warn that smaller manufacturers may avoid the EU market to reduce redesign costs. The rules may also influence right‑to‑repair legislation in other regions, as several US states already have related statutes.

The regulation does not alter the separate ecodesign requirements for smartphones and tablets, which focus on durability and repairability through part availability rather than mandatory user‑replaceable batteries. Whether the EU will expand battery‑access requirements to all devices remains uncertain.