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Less e-waste, more savings for consumers

11/08/2025

 EU Mandates New Energy Label for Smartphones and Tablets from June 2025!
New EU rules for durable, energy-efficient and repairable smartphones and tablets start applying

New European regulations that radically change the way smartphones and tablets must be designed and sold, as well as the information required to accompany them, officially come into force on June 20, 2025. These are Delegated Regulations (EU) 2023/1669 on energy labeling and 2023/1670 on ecodesign. These provisions aim to extend the useful life of devices, facilitate repairs, and reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste.

 What do the new rules provide?

All new smartphone and tablet models placed on the European market must comply with the new requirements and carry a mandatory energy label, similar to that already adopted for household appliances, TVs, and other devices.

This label includes essential consumer information, including:

  • energy efficiency class (from A to G);
  • battery life under standardized conditions (in hours and minutes);
  • resistance to impacts from accidental falls;
  • guaranteed number of charging cycles (at least 800 charging cycles must be guaranteed before the battery capacity drops below 80%);
  • degree of protection against dust and water (IP);
  • repairability index, which evaluates the ease of disassembly, the availability of spare parts, instructions and necessary tools;
  • a QR code to access the product data sheet.

Repairability at the heart of the new legislation

One of the main objectives is to simplify device maintenance and repair. Manufacturers will be required to guarantee professional repairers the availability of essential spare parts for at least seven years after the end of the product’s lifespan. Consumers must also be able to easily purchase commonly used spare parts considered essential, such as batteries, displays, and chargers, directly and conveniently. Finally, manuals and repair instructions must be made available.

Less e-waste, more savings for consumers

According to European Commission estimates, thanks to these new rules, the average lifespan of smartphones and tablets will increase from 3 to 4.1 years. The hoped-for result is to reduce electronic waste, encourage production that uses less raw materials, and generate a lower environmental impact and savings for families.

Sources:

✍️News, proposed & prepared by: Project partner – Union of the Municipalities Pian del Bruscolo (UCPB), Italy