Brussels, 16 June 2023
Today, the Commission is proposing new rules to help consumers make informed and sustainable choices when purchasing mobile and cordless phones, and tablets, under the existing EU Energy Labelling Regulation. This new proposal comes on the same day as the approval of measures to make these devices more energy efficient, durable and easier to repair by the European Parliament and Council, following a Commission proposal in November 2022, under the EU Ecodesign Regulation.
Under the Energy Labelling Regulation proposed today, smartphones and tablets put on the EU market will have to display information on their energy efficiency, their reparability score, battery longevity, protection from dust and water, and resistance to accidental drops. This is the first time that a product placed on the EU market will be required to display a reparability index.
On their side, the new Ecodesign rules for mobile and cordless phones and tablets set our requirements to ensure resistance to accidental drops or scratches, protection from dust and water, and use of sufficiently durable batteries. They include, among others, rules on disassembly and repair, including obligations for producers to make critical spare parts available to repairers within 5-10 working days, and until 7 years after the product model is no longer sold on the EU market.
These measures help to make the EU’s economy more circular, save energy, cut our carbon footprint, support circular business models and deliver the benefits of the European Green Deal for consumers. The new rules will also help to optimise the use of critical raw materials and facilitate their recycling.
A press release with more information is available online.
Source – EU Commission