The European Commission has introduced exemptions to its 2023 regulation requiring many electronics to have replaceable batteries by 2027, specifically excluding wearable devices such as smartwatches. The regulation, which is part of the European Green Deal, became enforceable in 2023, but the requirement for replaceable batteries will take effect in 2027. Nintendo has responded by announcing a new version of the Switch 2 equipped with a user-replaceable battery to comply with the regulation.
The draft exemptions released by the Commission also include certain medical devices, electronic toys, portable thermometers, roof-mounted telematics devices, and devices designed for “explosive atmospheres.” Within the wearable category, the Commission specifies that smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart glasses, and other electronic accessories will not need user-replaceable batteries. However, these products must remain repairable by trained professionals.
While wireless earbuds like Apple’s AirPods are not explicitly listed as exempt, they could qualify as wearable devices where user access to the battery could compromise safety, durability, or water resistance. Smartphones do not fall under these exemptions but can undergo battery repairs as long as those repairs do not require specialized tools or compromise the device’s safety. Apple’s Self Service Repair program meets these criteria.
The draft exemptions will be submitted to the EU Parliament and the Council of the EU for review. If there are no objections, the exemptions will take effect 20 days after they are published in the Official Journal of the EU.
The EU regulation aims to foster a greener, circular economy by requiring devices with replaceable batteries to extend their lifespan, encourage reuse, and reduce post-consumer waste. Efforts to implement similar right-to-repair protections in the United States have faced challenges, with some states enacting their own laws while federal initiatives largely stalled.
