Draft proposals published this week (Opens in a new window) would require manufacturers to make at least 15 parts available to professional repairers for up to five years after a new phone is launched in the European Union (EU). This means customers will be guaranteed access to replacement batteries, back covers, front and rear cameras, audio jacks, charging ports, microphones and speakers, SIM and memory trays, and more. Extending the life cycle of a smartphone or tablet by just five years is roughly equivalent to taking 5 million cars off the road, according to the Financial Times (Opens in a new window). However, that’s a tough ask for consumers when electronics manufacturers release newer, shinier devices every year. “The surge in demand for smartphones and tablets combined [with] Their increased functionality has led to an increased demand for energy and materials needed to manufacture these devices in the EU market, accompanied by an increase in their associated environmental impact,” Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen wrote in the proposal. “Furthermore, devices are often replaced prematurely by users and, at the end of their useful life, are not adequately reused or recycled, leading to wasted resources.” If approved, the initiative would also introduce a new energy label for phones and tablets—similar to those already in place across Europe for televisions and large household appliances. Labels will indicate expected battery life and include details about water and dust protection, as well as the device’s resistance to drops and scratches. Those manufacturers, meanwhile, that can’t (or won’t) supply batteries for five years must meet a set of battery endurance tests that certify devices achieve 80% of rated capacity after 1,000 full charge cycles. They should also ensure that software updates never negatively affect battery life. While the draft proposals aim to make handsets more energy-efficient and durable, easier to repair and reusable and recyclable, some people think they don’t go far enough. The Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS)—an international NGO that advocates for environmentally friendly technology standards, policies and laws—called the move (Opens in a new window) “generally encouraging,” but said the proposals “will still need improve significantly. “

The Commission’s five-year timeline for providing parts and software updates is not long enough, ECOS said, noting that it does not apply at all to technology with flexible displays. “As a result, such devices may become the norm for manufacturers who want to ignore EU-imposed design requirements.” “The repair index and the new energy label will be a game changer,” ECOS program director Mathieu Rama said in a statement. “Let’s just make sure we tie up all the loose ends – consumers deserve both repair and reliability, which should go hand in hand.” The “right to repair” movement has grown in recent years, with manufacturers like Google and Samsung partnering with iFixit to sell parts. Even Apple got in on the act this year with its own (expensive) self-service garage. How to save battery life on your iPhone

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title: “The Eu Wants Smartphones Tablets To Be Repaired For At Least 5 Years Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-26” author: “Christopher Tracey”

Draft proposals published this week (Opens in a new window) would require manufacturers to make at least 15 parts available to professional repairers for up to five years after a new phone is launched in the European Union (EU). This means customers will be guaranteed access to replacement batteries, back covers, front and rear cameras, audio jacks, charging ports, microphones and speakers, SIM and memory trays, and more. Extending the life cycle of a smartphone or tablet by just five years is roughly equivalent to taking 5 million cars off the road, according to the Financial Times (Opens in a new window). However, that’s a tough ask for consumers when electronics manufacturers release newer, shinier devices every year. “The surge in demand for smartphones and tablets combined [with] Their increased functionality has led to an increased demand for energy and materials needed to manufacture these devices in the EU market, accompanied by an increase in their associated environmental impact,” Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen wrote in the proposal. “Furthermore, devices are often replaced prematurely by users and, at the end of their useful life, are not adequately reused or recycled, leading to wasted resources.” If approved, the initiative would also introduce a new energy label for phones and tablets—similar to those already in place across Europe for televisions and large household appliances. Labels will indicate expected battery life and include details about water and dust protection, as well as the device’s resistance to drops and scratches. Those manufacturers, meanwhile, that can’t (or won’t) supply batteries for five years must meet a set of battery endurance tests that certify devices achieve 80% of rated capacity after 1,000 full charge cycles. They should also ensure that software updates never negatively affect battery life. While the draft proposals aim to make handsets more energy-efficient and durable, easier to repair and reusable and recyclable, some people think they don’t go far enough. The Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS)—an international NGO that advocates for environmentally friendly technology standards, policies and laws—called the move (Opens in a new window) “generally encouraging,” but said the proposals “will still need improve significantly. “

The Commission’s five-year timeline for providing parts and software updates is not long enough, ECOS said, noting that it does not apply at all to technology with flexible displays. “As a result, such devices may become the norm for manufacturers who want to ignore EU-imposed design requirements.” “The repair index and the new energy label will be a game changer,” ECOS program director Mathieu Rama said in a statement. “Let’s just make sure we tie up all the loose ends – consumers deserve both repair and reliability, which should go hand in hand.” The “right to repair” movement has grown in recent years, with manufacturers like Google and Samsung partnering with iFixit to sell parts. Even Apple got in on the act this year with its own (expensive) self-service garage. How to save battery life on your iPhone

Do you like what you read?

Sign up for the Fully Mobilized newsletter to get our top mobile tech stories straight to your inbox. This newsletter may contain advertisements, promotions or affiliate links. Signing up for a newsletter indicates your agreement to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe from newsletters at any time.

title: “The Eu Wants Smartphones Tablets To Be Repaired For At Least 5 Years Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-03” author: “Amber Sullivan”

Draft proposals published this week (Opens in a new window) would require manufacturers to make at least 15 parts available to professional repairers for up to five years after a new phone is launched in the European Union (EU). This means customers will be guaranteed access to replacement batteries, back covers, front and rear cameras, audio jacks, charging ports, microphones and speakers, SIM and memory trays, and more. Extending the life cycle of a smartphone or tablet by just five years is roughly equivalent to taking 5 million cars off the road, according to the Financial Times (Opens in a new window). However, that’s a tough ask for consumers when electronics manufacturers release newer, shinier devices every year. “The surge in demand for smartphones and tablets combined [with] Their increased functionality has led to an increased demand for energy and materials needed to manufacture these devices in the EU market, accompanied by an increase in their associated environmental impact,” Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen wrote in the proposal. “Furthermore, devices are often replaced prematurely by users and, at the end of their useful life, are not adequately reused or recycled, leading to wasted resources.” If approved, the initiative would also introduce a new energy label for phones and tablets—similar to those already in place across Europe for televisions and large household appliances. Labels will indicate expected battery life and include details about water and dust protection, as well as the device’s resistance to drops and scratches. Those manufacturers, meanwhile, that can’t (or won’t) supply batteries for five years must meet a set of battery endurance tests that certify devices achieve 80% of rated capacity after 1,000 full charge cycles. They should also ensure that software updates never negatively affect battery life. While the draft proposals aim to make handsets more energy-efficient and durable, easier to repair and reusable and recyclable, some people think they don’t go far enough. The Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS)—an international NGO that advocates for environmentally friendly technology standards, policies and laws—called the move (Opens in a new window) “generally encouraging,” but said the proposals “will still need improve significantly. “

The Commission’s five-year timeline for providing parts and software updates is not long enough, ECOS said, noting that it does not apply at all to technology with flexible displays. “As a result, such devices may become the norm for manufacturers who want to ignore EU-imposed design requirements.” “The repair index and the new energy label will be a game changer,” ECOS program director Mathieu Rama said in a statement. “Let’s just make sure we tie up all the loose ends – consumers deserve both repair and reliability, which should go hand in hand.” The “right to repair” movement has grown in recent years, with manufacturers like Google and Samsung partnering with iFixit to sell parts. Even Apple got in on the act this year with its own (expensive) self-service garage. How to save battery life on your iPhone

Do you like what you read?

Sign up for the Fully Mobilized newsletter to get our top mobile tech stories straight to your inbox. This newsletter may contain advertisements, promotions or affiliate links. Signing up for a newsletter indicates your agreement to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe from newsletters at any time.

title: “The Eu Wants Smartphones Tablets To Be Repaired For At Least 5 Years Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-09” author: “Brian Ramey”

Draft proposals published this week (Opens in a new window) would require manufacturers to make at least 15 parts available to professional repairers for up to five years after a new phone is launched in the European Union (EU). This means customers will be guaranteed access to replacement batteries, back covers, front and rear cameras, audio jacks, charging ports, microphones and speakers, SIM and memory trays, and more. Extending the life cycle of a smartphone or tablet by just five years is roughly equivalent to taking 5 million cars off the road, according to the Financial Times (Opens in a new window). However, that’s a tough ask for consumers when electronics manufacturers release newer, shinier devices every year. “The surge in demand for smartphones and tablets combined [with] Their increased functionality has led to an increased demand for energy and materials needed to manufacture these devices in the EU market, accompanied by an increase in their associated environmental impact,” Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen wrote in the proposal. “Furthermore, devices are often replaced prematurely by users and, at the end of their useful life, are not adequately reused or recycled, leading to wasted resources.” If approved, the initiative would also introduce a new energy label for phones and tablets—similar to those already in place across Europe for televisions and large household appliances. Labels will indicate expected battery life and include details about water and dust protection, as well as the device’s resistance to drops and scratches. Those manufacturers, meanwhile, that can’t (or won’t) supply batteries for five years must meet a set of battery endurance tests that certify devices achieve 80% of rated capacity after 1,000 full charge cycles. They should also ensure that software updates never negatively affect battery life. While the draft proposals aim to make handsets more energy-efficient and durable, easier to repair and reusable and recyclable, some people think they don’t go far enough. The Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS)—an international NGO that advocates for environmentally friendly technology standards, policies and laws—called the move (Opens in a new window) “generally encouraging,” but said the proposals “will still need improve significantly. “

The Commission’s five-year timeline for providing parts and software updates is not long enough, ECOS said, noting that it does not apply at all to technology with flexible displays. “As a result, such devices may become the norm for manufacturers who want to ignore EU-imposed design requirements.” “The repair index and the new energy label will be a game changer,” ECOS program director Mathieu Rama said in a statement. “Let’s just make sure we tie up all the loose ends – consumers deserve both repair and reliability, which should go hand in hand.” The “right to repair” movement has grown in recent years, with manufacturers like Google and Samsung partnering with iFixit to sell parts. Even Apple got in on the act this year with its own (expensive) self-service garage. How to save battery life on your iPhone

Do you like what you read?

Sign up for the Fully Mobilized newsletter to get our top mobile tech stories straight to your inbox. This newsletter may contain advertisements, promotions or affiliate links. Signing up for a newsletter indicates your agreement to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe from newsletters at any time.