---
title: "The EU Might Make Personal Electronics Use Replaceable Batteries"
description: "A draft proposal, if enacted, would force vendors selling phones, tablets, or earbuds in the European Union to use replaceable batteries."
date: "2020-02-28"
modified: "2020-02-28"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/eu-personal-electronics-replaceable-batteries"
categories:
  - "Energy"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "batteries"
  - "energy"
  - "phones"
  - "the digest"
---

# The EU Might Make Personal Electronics Use Replaceable Batteries

![A draft proposal, if enacted, would force vendors selling phones, tablets, or earbuds in the European Union to use replaceable batteries.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/eu-personal-electronics-replaceable-batteries.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Image via Pexels/Victor Tangermann\</em\>*

## Reuse, Reduce

A draft plan reveals that the European Union might enact a law forcing all smartphones, wireless earbuds, and tablets to use replaceable batteries.

While tech companies like Apple are pushing back against the proposed regulation — difficult-to-replace batteries generally translate into increased sales and repair fees — *[Business Insider ](<https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-smartphone-tablet-wireless-earphone-makers-replaceable-batteries-proposal-2020-2>)*[reports](<https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-smartphone-tablet-wireless-earphone-makers-replaceable-batteries-proposal-2020-2>) that the EU is looking for ways to take a harder stance against electronic waste.

## Revenue Streams

Devices like phones and other personal electronics often cannot be recycled, creating a mounting environmental hazard.

And while it used to be easier to replace a cellphone battery in the era of flip phones, many smartphones now keep battery compartments sealed off. That means users often have to replace the entire device or navigate a complicated repair process when they can no longer [hold a charge](<https://futurism.com/battery-revolutionize-clean-energy>).

As a result, the EU calculated that the average European generated nearly 37 pounds (16.6 kilograms) of e-waste in 2016, *BI* reports.

## Next Steps

Right now, the EU's plans exist in the form of a draft proposal that will be submitted for public discussion next month, according to *BI*.

If it passes, it would apply to all vendors selling within the EU, and hopefully rippled outward from there as an effect.

**READ MORE:** [Europe may force makers of smartphones, tablets and wireless earphones to install easily replaceable batteries](<https://www.businessinsider.com/europe-smartphone-tablet-wireless-earphone-makers-replaceable-batteries-proposal-2020-2>) \[*Business Insider*\]

**More on batteries:** *[This Inexpensive Battery Could Revolutionize the Clean Energy Industry](<https://futurism.com/battery-revolutionize-clean-energy>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)