Ecodesign requirements – smartphones, mobile phones other than smartphones, cordless phones and slate tablets

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 laying down ecodesign requirements for smartphones, mobile phones other than smartphones, cordless phones and slate tablets

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It aims to limit the environmental impact of mobile and cordless phones and tablets being placed on the European Union (EU) market by introducing minimum requirements.

KEY POINTS

As part of the European Green Deal, the European Commission has adopted two regulations for smartphones and tablets, namely this one on ecodesign* and another on energy labelling. Together, they aim to allow EU consumers to make more informed and sustainable purchasing choices and to encourage sustainable consumption.
The ecodesign regulation is an implementing measure of Directive 2009/125/EC (see summary). It amends Regulation (EU) 2023/826 (see summary).

Main features

The ecodesign requirements are set out in Annex II, including rules on:
- resistance to accidental drops or scratches and protection from dust and water;
- durability of batteries – batteries of smart phones and slate tablets should withstand at least 800 cycles of charge and discharge while retaining at least 80% of their initial capacity;
- disassembly and repair, including obligations for producers to make critical spare parts available to repairers within 5–10 working days, and until 7 years after the end of sales of the product model on the EU market;
- operating system upgrades for at least 5 years after the product has been placed on the market;
- non-discriminatory access for professional repairers to any software or firmware needed for the replacement.
The regulation specifies which conformity assessment procedures apply.
EU Member States’ national authorities must apply the verification procedures laid down in Annex IV when carrying out market surveillance checks.
The regulation specifically forbids devices designed to alter their performance under testing.
Annex V sets out indicative benchmarks for the best-performing products and technology available on the market.

Review

The Commission must review this regulation in the light of technological progress and present its results, including, if appropriate, a draft revision proposal, by 20 September 2027, to a Consultation Forum set up under Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 (see summary).

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It will apply from 20 June 2025 with the exception of Article 6, which has applied since 20 September 2023.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

The new ecodesign measures explained (European Commission)
About the energy label and ecodesign – Energy savings (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Eco-design. Policy to improve, through better design, products’ environmental performance throughout their life cycle, especially their energy efficiency.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 of 16 June 2023 laying down ecodesign requirements for smartphones, mobile phones other than smartphones, cordless phones and slate tablets pursuant to Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/826 (OJ L 214, 31.8.2023, pp. 47–93).