The European Union has made a significant advancement in smartphone transparency by introducing mandatory energy efficiency labels for smartphones and tablets, effective June 20, 2025. These labels will provide crucial details regarding energy consumption, battery life, durability against drops, IP ratings for dust and water resistance, and repairability scores.
This move aims to compel manufacturers to disclose more relevant information about their products that is often obscured in marketing materials. The new energy labels will include a variety of icons that signify the energy efficiency class of the device, battery endurance per charge cycle, impact resistance, repairability class, and IP rating for protection against environmental factors.
The energy efficiency classification ranges from A (best) to G (worst), allowing consumers to easily identify how their potential purchase performs in terms of sustainability. For instance, icons will indicate how long a device’s battery lasts on a full charge based on standardized testing, which manufacturers must adhere to, preventing misleading claims.
Additionally, the repairability class will inform consumers about how easily a device can be repaired, while the impact resistance metric assesses how well the device can withstand accidental drops. Further supporting this initiative are the EU’s ecodesign requirements, which impose standards on durability and repairability.
These rules stipulate that smartphones must have batteries that can endure a minimum of 800 charge cycles while retaining a significant portion of their initial capacity. Furthermore, manufacturers are required to provide critical spare parts for a minimum of seven years after the device is removed from sale in the EU.
With these regulations, the EU aims for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable practices in the smartphone market.
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