The European Union has unveiled new requirements for mandatory labeling on smartphones and tablets sold within its jurisdiction. These labels will provide consumers with essential information, including ratings for energy efficiency, durability, and repairability. Additionally, hardware must comply with updated “ecodesign requirements,” which mandate the availability of spare parts to facilitate repairs.
Starting from June 20th, any devices put on the market will need to display these labels, which resemble those currently used for home appliances and televisions. The labels will include various ratings: an energy efficiency grade ranging from A to G, battery life details, the battery’s rated number of charge cycles, and grades for durability and repairability, alongside any relevant IP ratings for dust and water resistance.
In conjunction with the labels, the EU is also enforcing new “ecodesign requirements” that establish minimum standards for these products. These standards encompass water and dust protection for phones, scratch and drop resistance, batteries that maintain at least 80% of their capacity after 800 charging cycles, and the availability of “critical spare parts” within 5 to 10 working days. Moreover, manufacturers must provide operating system updates within six months of the source code being released — a standard that Samsung may not have met with its most recent One UI 7 launch.
The regulations apply to smartphones and tablets with screens up to 17.4 inches, as well as cordless landline phones and feature phones. Notably, phones with rollable displays are exempt — though such devices are not yet available on the market, they are anticipated to be released soon. Windows-based tablets will fall under a separate regulatory framework designed for computers.
