According to the EU’s Batteries Regulations, portable batteries in products sold in the EU must generally be removable and replaceable by consumers. This helped in extending a product’s life and also in recycling the used batteries.
But there were few products that were exempted from this rule, like medical devices, electric toothbrushes and more for safety reasons. Well, the European Commission has now added six new product categories in the exemption list.
The categories include wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, electric toys, and products within the scope of the ATEX Directive (equipment used in explosive atmospheres such as explosion-proof motors, sensors, pumps or forklift trucks).
The reason behind this new addition is the same as for the already included categories in the list. Opening a compact, sealed enclosure and failing to reseal it properly could let water in and create a safety risk or if there is no realistic way to build in user access given current manufacturing methods.
The new categories added will now free Apple Watch and AirPods from having to offer user-removable and replaceable batteries. The iPhone was already exempt from this rule due to its battery cycle life and water resistance rating.
The Commission has adopted the exemption but it will still undergo scrutiny. The delegated act is transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for their scrutiny. It will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU, if the European Parliament or the Council fail to object to it.
