Background

On June 16, 2023, the European Parliament and the European Council approved rules named Ecodesign Regulation to help consumers make informed and sustainable choices when purchasing mobile and cordless phones, and tablets, which are measures to make these devices more energy efficient, durable and easier to repair. This regulation follows a Commission proposal in November 2022, under the EU Ecodesign Regulation.(see our Issue 31 “ The EU market plans to add the requirements of cycle life of battery used in cell phone “) , which aims to make the EU’s economy more sustainable, save more energy, decrease carbon footprint and support circular business.

The Ecodesign Regulation lays out minimum requirements for mobile and cordless phones and tablets in the EU market. It requires that:

• Products can resist accidental drops or scratches, proof dust and water, and are durable enough. Batteries should retain at least 80% of their initial capacity after withstanding at least 800 cycles of charge and discharge.
• There should be rules on disassembly and repair. Producers should make critical spare parts available to repairers within 5-10 working days. This should be maintained until 7 years after the end of sales of the product model on the EU market.
• Availability of operating system upgrades for long periods: for at least 5 years after the product has been placed on the market.
• lNon-discriminatory access for professional repairers to any software or firmware needed for the replacement.

Ecodesign and the New Battery Law

In the preamble to the new Battery Law, it mentions that “for batteries used in mobile phones and tablets, the performance and durability requirements of these batteries should be set through future ecodesign regulations for mobile phones and tablets.” At present, the regulated minimum for the electrochemical performance and durability parameters of portable batteries are not defined yet, and will be determined 48 months after the implementation of the New Battery Law. In determining these mandatory values, the Commission will rely on the requirements of ecodesign regulations.

Ecodesign requirements (Battery)

For batteries used in mobile phones and tablets, there are the following requirements in this regulation:

Battery Cycle Life: The manufacturer, importer, or authorized representative shall ensure that the device withstands at least 800 cycles of charge and discharge and still retain at least 80% of initial capacity. When tested under charging conditions, the charging power is limited by the battery management system, not by the power supply capacity. (Reference: IEC EN 61960-3:2017)

Battery Management System: The following data of the battery management system should be recorded in system settings or other locations accessible to the end user:

1. Date of production;
2. The date on which the first user first uses the battery after setting it up;
3. Number of charge/discharge cycles (refer to rated capacity);
4. Health status (remaining fully charged capacity relative to rated capacity, the unit is %).

Battery management should have an optional charging function, in which an automatic termination of charge will activate when the battery is charged to 80% SOC.

1. When this function is turned on, manufacturer, importer or authorized representative can enable the device to fully charge the battery periodically to maintain an accurate estimate of the battery SOC. Users can select this feature when they first charge the device or are automatically informed during installation, then it will periodically charge the battery to 80% of full capacity to extend battery life.
2. Manufacturer, importer or authorized representative shall provide power management features that, by default, ensure no further changing power is provided to the battery after the battery is fully charged, unless it is lower than 95% of the maximum charge capacity.

Should batteries be removable?

There are two methods for battery disassembly and replacement:

Normal replacement (removable)

• Fasteners must be re-supplied or reusable;
• The replacement process shall be feasible in the following situations: without tools, with one or one set of tools attached with products or components, with basic tools.
• The replacement process can be carried out in the usage environment;
• The replacement process should be able to be performed by amateurs.

Professional maintenance (non-removable)

• The battery replacement process should comply with the specified standards. The manufacturer, importer or authorized representative shall make spare parts of battery available to repairers, including the required fasteners (if not reusable), and until at least 7 years after the end of the date of placing on the market;
• After 500 cycles of full charge, the battery must be in a fully charged state with a remaining capacity of at least 83% of the rated capacity;
• The battery must have a cycle life of at least 1,000 full cycles, and after 1,000 full cycles, the battery must be in a fully charged state with at least 80% of the rated capacity remaining;
• The equipment should be dustproof, and able to get immersion in one-meter deep water for at least 30 min (IP67).

Summary

The new Ecodesign Regulation will have a transition period of 21 months. There are no major changes compared with the previous draft version, and there are exemptions for detachable batteries requirements for mobile phone and tablets entering EU. This requires that spare parts and tools should be provided for professional battery replacement personnel, and battery must meet the specified performance.