image:iphone batteries
If you’ve ever wanted to swap out an old iPhone battery for a new one but found the process difficult, frustrating, and expensive, there’s good news on the horizon. A recent ruling by the European Parliament aims to enforce stricter regulations regarding the manufacturing and disposal of batteries found in devices like phones, tablets, and other mobile electronics. The bottom line? Manufacturers may soon be required to make batteries removable and replaceable by users.
Before becoming a formal law, the ruling must be approved by the European Council. Even if it passes, it will initially only affect devices sold within the European Union. However, it’s worth noting that such regulations often have a ripple effect globally. For instance, previous EU legislation that mandated companies to design repairable devices for consumers inspired similar laws in the US and prompted companies like Apple and Samsung to establish their own repair programs. Another EU ruling might even compel Apple to offer iPhones with USB-C ports. Consequently, if this battery ruling comes into effect, it could present a significant challenge for Apple, which has a reputation for making battery replacements a cumbersome process. The company has faced criticism for issuing dubious battery service alerts to users attempting to repair their own batteries.
In addition to mandating replaceable batteries, the ruling would require companies to adopt more responsible practices in managing battery waste and utilize recycled components when creating new batteries. For electric vehicle (EV) batteries, manufacturers would need to label the cells with their carbon footprint, indicating the resources consumed during battery production.
While the European Council’s approval is yet to be obtained, the prospect of making iPhone batteries replaceable represents a potential breakthrough that could empower users, promote sustainability, and encourage greater accountability from manufacturers.