Battery replacement must be ‘easily’ achieved by consumers, in the proposed law

December 22, 2022 By Raulf Hernes

(Image Credit Google)

Following government-mandated USB-C ports, third-party app stores, access to the iPhone's NFC chip, and other requirements, Apple may face yet another European legal requirement - this time for battery replacement. A proposed new law would mandate electronics companies such as Apple to make sure that customers can "easily" remove and replace batteries. Apple has already come up against several European legal requirements, impacting the way it designs its products and runs its services. One recent example is the mandatory use of USB-C ports for wired charging by 2024, to reduce electrical waste by allowing the same chargers to be used for all small consumer electronics devices. This comes into force in 2024, and Apple is expected to comply a year ahead of time by swapping out the Lightning port on iPhones for USB-C as of next year’s iPhone 15. iPads and MacBooks can already be charged by USB-C. [caption id="attachment_74698" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]

ifixit[/caption] Third-party banking apps and app stores, for example, have access to the iPhone's NFC chip.

The proposed battery replacement law

Another proposed European Union law noticed by PocketNow would require electronic device manufacturers to allow consumers to "easily” DIY battery replacement. Companies would receive ample notice, however, because the requirement would not go into effect until 3.5 years after the law went into effect. Also Read: iPhone Running Slow? Here's How to Increase Your iPhone's Speed Companies will be required by law to accept and repurpose used batteries. All waste LMT, EV, SLI, and industrial batteries, irrespective of their nature, chemical composition, status, brand, or origin, must be collected free of charge for end users. The goal, as with the charger law, is to lower electrical waste. Batteries will have labels and QR codes with information about their capacity, performance, durability, chemical composition, and the "separate collection" symbol to better inform consumers. Except for SMEs, all economic operators putting batteries on the EU market will be required to develop and implement a "due diligence policy" under international standards to address the social and environmental risks associated with sourcing, processing, and trading and secondary raw materials. iPhone 14 Pro

Special collection and recycling goals are expected to be established. Collection targets for portable batteries are set at 45% by 2023, 63% by 2027, 73% by 2030, 51% by 2028, and 61% by 2031 for LMT batteries. Minimum recovered cobalt levels (16%. Also Read: Learn To Type Apple Logo On iPhone, iPad And Mac Furthermore, the European Commission, which makes legislative proposals to the European Parliament, is expected to consider prohibiting the use of non-rechargeable portable batteries. This more radical step would almost certainly be met with many exclusions, and there is no plan to even truly consider it before the end of the decade. Apple is likely to launch the Self-Service Repair program. If the law is passed, Apple will most likely argue that its Self Service Repair program satisfies the requirements. The company would have to expand the program to all 27 EU countries as well as its entire product line, but Apple is currently on the case with both geographic and product line expansions. Given the timespan, full compliance appears possible if the program is deemed to meet the "ease" requirement.

By Raulf Hernes

If you ask me raulf means ALL ABOUT TECH!!

Battery replacement must be ‘easily’ achieved by consumers, in the proposed law

The proposed battery replacement law

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