Shining a Light on Device Durability: EU's New Energy Labels for Smartphones and Tablets
Assessing Mobile Phone Repairability Based on EU Energy Label Standards
Getting a phone repaired instead of replacing it can save you bucks and the environment. But how easy is that really? To help customers make informed decisions before buying tech devices, all smartphones and tablets sold in the EU from now on will be labeled with new EU energy labels, just like your fridge or washing machine. Here's what you need to know:
What's the Deal with Energy Labels?
Starting today, smartphones and tablets sold in the EU will don a new energy label that indicates their energy efficiency (from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient). The label also provides crucial information about the battery's lifespan, detailing how long it lasts after a full charge and how many charge cycles it can withstand before dropping to 80% of its original capacity.
To help you understand how robust the device is and how easy it is to repair, the label assigns grades on scales ranging from A to E, with higher grades indicating better robustness and repairability. Moreover, the label also reveals the device's protection against dust (0 to 6) and moisture (0 to 8), with higher protection scores meaning increased survivability under tough conditions.
Where to Find the Energy Label?
Suppliers and retailers are required to make sure the labels are readily visible, both online and in physical stores. If you spot any discrepancies, the German Environmental Aid (DUH) has promised to inspect compliance in stores.
Does the Label Reveal Repair Costs?
While the energy label provides insight into the repairability of devices, sadly, it doesn't reveal the prices of replacement parts or repair services. The lower the repair class, the easier it is to disassemble the device and find replacement parts. However, the cost of repairs remains a variable.
Are Devices Getting an Upgrade Too?
Absolutely! manufacturer's must also meet new "eco-design" requirements, making devices more robust and enhancing battery longevity. Manufacturers must provide essential spare parts like displays, batteries, and camera modules within five to ten business days for seven years after purchase. Furthermore, software updates must be offered for at least five years.
The Big Picture
The ultimate goal of these changes is to help customers make more informed and eco-friendly decisions by providing transparency around a device's energy consumption, durability, and repairability. By comparing devices before purchasing, customers can reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, contributing to a greener future.
Consumer protection groups like the European consumer protection organization Beuc welcome these changes, praising the useful information provided by the label. The German Environmental Aid (DUH) also warmly welcomed the new regulations for smartphones, calling for the expansion of requirements to all electrical devices to combat the increasing e-waste generated by hastily discarded devices.
What's Next?
Energy labels for laptops are expected to follow suit, but a schedule isn't officially announced yet. As of now, this new energy labeling regulation applies solely to smartphones, feature phones, cordless phones, and slate tablets from June 2025.
Stay tuned for updates on energy labels for other electronic devices and continue to make informed choices for a greener future!
- The new EU energy labels for smartphones and tablets also provide information about the device's robustness and repairability, awarding grades from A to E, with higher grades indicating better durability and ease of repair.
- To combat the growing issue of e-waste, the European consumer protection organization Beuc and the German Environmental Aid (DUH) have praised the new regulations for smartphones, calling for the expansion of similar requirements to all electrical devices.
- In line with the new energy labeling regulations, manufacturers must now meet "eco-design" requirements, enhancing battery longevity, and offering essential spare parts like displays, batteries, and camera modules within a specified timeframe, promoting device durability and repairability.
