The era of freedom for technology companies seems to be coming to an end, at least in the European Union. After self-regulation policies failed to yield desired results, the European Commission appears more willing to use heavy-handed tactics when necessary.
The commitment to using USB-C ports on mobile phones was the beginning of this new stance for European commissioners, after more than a decade where manufacturers were allowed to take responsibility for defining a charging standard, with limited success.
This decision seems to have opened doors for more control over the market, especially in terms of durability and sustainability of the devices sold.
This is evident from the latest draft proposals published by the Commission this week, which include potential new commitments for manufacturers aiming to reduce electronic waste and give consumers more power over the products they buy. To achieve this, the commissioners intend to improve the repairability of smartphones and tablets, forcing manufacturing companies to use more durable and easily repairable materials, with an increase in the percentage of recyclable components and reused materials in new devices.
For consumers, perhaps the most interesting measures are those indicating the length of time mobile phones should last, and the adoption of the so-called “right to repair” already spreading across the United States.
Initially, consumers will receive a new guarantee of spare parts availability, requiring the manufacturer to provide components for five years; among the parts we can purchase separately are batteries, screens, chargers, covers, SIM card slots, and memory cards. The goal is that we can repair our mobile phone ourselves to continue using it, rather than disposing of it and buying a new phone.
– Batteries that last longer
Energy efficiency also had a place in the proposals, which is understandable given the current energy crisis. The commissioners propose creating a new energy label, similar to the one already used by household appliances, which will indicate the battery life of the phone or tablet, as well as its resistance to water and dust, if applicable. It may even indicate resistance to shocks and falls, although this may require objective testing in labs by an independent organization.
Given the expected criticism these plans will receive from manufacturers, the commissioners have included several “fine print” clauses that will allow them to bypass these measures. For example, manufacturers will not be required to provide alternative batteries if they can prove that their mobile phones are designed to last long, with a 1000 charge-discharge cycle test that must result in them being able to retain 80% capacity by the end. They must also ensure that software updates do not negatively impact battery life, to avoid cases like Apple’s iOS updates that affect battery life.
Additionally, the rules do not cover certain types of mobile phones, such as those with flexible screens or those designed for high-security environments. However, the new rules are expected to set at least a new standard that all manufacturers must follow to reduce the amount of electronic waste produced every year, which is currently around 11000 tons.
