The European Union has taken a decisive step toward sustainability and the right to repair with the entry into force of new regulations that will revolutionize the mobile phone and tablet market. Starting in June 2025, manufacturers will be required to meet technical, energy, and support requirements that will directly impact both the lifespan of devices and the information consumers receive. This regulation favors repairability and durability, making it easier and cheaper to extend the life of a mobile phone or tablet.
In this article, we detail the new legislation, deadlines, technical criteria, and consequences for manufacturers and users. From software support minimums to spare parts availability and comprehensive information labels, we reveal how the landscape will change for anyone considering buying or repairing a mobile phone in the coming years.
What motivates this new EU law?
The European Union has set a goal of reducing the environmental impact of electronic devices and making them easier to repair and use for longer. Today's mobile phones and tablets, although increasingly sophisticated, often become outdated due to a lack of updates or the inability to replace key components like the battery. Added to this is the problem of electronic waste and the energy consumed by millions of new devices each year.
The EU's fundamental objective is to ensure a longer lifespan for all these devices, increase their repairability, and limit the waste of valuable resources. Therefore, in addition to other measures (such as the mandatory use of USB-C), it has driven a true paradigm shift in the durability of smartphones and tablets.
From when and who does the EU law affect?
The regulation comes into full force on June 20 or 25, 2025 (depending on the source), Although some of the requirements have already been published, and some advanced manufacturers have adapted, every new device released in the EU from that date onwards must meet these conditions, with no retroactive effect. That is, models sold previously are not required to comply, nor are consumers required to change their device.
The regulations are valid for: Smartphones, tablets, and fixed-line cordless phones (classic ones with a base), with no distinction between ranges or prices. Only very specific models are excluded, such as foldable phones with roll-up screens and PC-type tablets larger than 17,4 inches.
Key demands: support, reparability and transparency of EU law
The new legislation introduces five major technical requirements, in addition to the USB-C standard. The new options are the following:
- Battery duration: The mobile phone must withstand at least 800 charging cycles, retaining 80% of its initial capacity.
- Physical resistance and protection: Mandatory tests for drop resistance, dust and water protection (IP certification), and overall reliability.
- Access to repairs: Users and workshops must have tools, spare parts, and software for basic repairs, even independently of the manufacturer.
- Agile supply of spare parts: Manufacturers are required to provide replacement parts for at least seven years after the product is withdrawn from the market, with delivery within a maximum of 10 working days.
- software support: Updates must be guaranteed at least five years after the end of official sale in the EU.
All this is reflected in a new mandatory information label, similar to that of household appliances, which allows you to compare the efficiency, durability, and repairability of each model. It should contain clear information on battery life, durability, charging cycles, protection level, and much more.
Operating system and security updates: What's changing?
Until now, most Android phones promised two or three years of security updates (and one or two years of operating system updates), except for expensive models from Samsung or Google, which claimed four or five years. Apple has been known for updating its iPhones for longer, but not all Androids offered the same treatment.
With the new regulations:
- All phones sold in the EU must offer five years of software updates., understood as any type of update that maintains the security or functionality of the device.
- During those five years, manufacturers will have to provide both operating system updates and security patches.However, it is not specified that there will be five major system versions (e.g., Android 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19), but rather that version support may be combined with minor patches.
- The update period starts from the moment the model is first launched in the EU., not from the date of purchase.
- The manufacturer must ensure that updates are available on time. (There are sources that speak of up to 6 months after Google's publication for Android updates, or a maximum of 2 months in other previous proposals).
Spare parts availability for seven years according to EU law
One of the most innovative points is the obligation to maintain spare parts for seven years. All critical components must be available to both professional workshops and the end user within a maximum of ten business days from the date the replacement part is requested.
This affects parts such as batteries, displays, camera modules, connectors, and more. The goal is Promote rapid repairs and prevent a mobile phone from becoming unusable simply due to a missing part.It's a clear move toward the right to repair, something that has been in high demand in recent years.
Strength, durability and energy efficiency under scrutiny
The EU imposes Certified technical tests on battery life, number of charge cycles, shock, dust and water resistance, and other key aspectsMobile phones must demonstrate their longevity with data (provided by the manufacturer itself and which can be verified).
Thus, Vague commercial phrases will not suffice. such as "long-lasting battery." Consumers will be able to see exactly (at a glance) how many hours of battery life the device offers, how resistant it is to drops, what its IP rating is, and how easy it is to replace its internal components.
The energy label: what information it includes and how the EU law will affect consumers
Energy labeling will be mandatory on the packaging of all mobile phones and tablets sold in the EU from June 2025.This label, visually similar to that of household appliances, will include several elements:
- QR Code which links to complete and official product information on the manufacturer's website.
- Brand and business model clearly identified.
- Energy efficiency scale (from A to G), both globally and in specific aspects.
- Battery life per cycle (hours and minutes between charges).
- Drop resistance assessment (from A to E).
- Repairability score (also from A to E).
- Number of guaranteed charge cycles before the battery loses 20% of its initial capacity.
- Protection index against water, dust or immersion (IPxx, according to international standards).
- Reference of Regulation (EU) 2023/1669.
This information will allow you to compare and choose mobile phones more carefully, knowing how long each model lasts and how easy it is to repair.
Environmental, economic and user advantages
The European Commission estimates that these standards will save almost 14 terawatt-hours of energy per year until 2030., which is equivalent to one-third of the current energy consumption of mobile phones and tablets in the EU. Furthermore, by reducing the need to purchase new devices every two or three years, electronic waste will be significantly reduced.
For the users, This regulation means more reliable, repairable mobile phones with a longer lifespan without having to resort to buying a new one so often. Economically, spending should be reduced in the medium term, although manufacturers warn of possible initial price increases to cover adaptation costs.
Will there be more expensive phones? Points of discussion between manufacturers and the European Commission
The industry has responded with some concern to these changes. Manufacturers such as Samsung, Huawei and Apple, through the DigitalEurope association, defended maintaining current standards (two years of software, three years of security), citing additional costs. and logistical difficulties for low-end or discontinued models.
The European Commission and countries like Germany have pushed to go even further (proposing up to seven years of future updates), although the minimum was ultimately set at five years for software and seven years for spare parts. Cheap "battle" phones are likely to stop being sold in Europe if they can't comply with the new regulations., although major brands are already adapting their flagship products even beyond what the law requires.
How EU law affects Apple, Android, and a variety of devices
The law applies to all manufacturers, whether Android or iOS.Apple typically exceeds five years of updates, so it won't be a major challenge for its iPhones to comply with the standard. However, many Android phone manufacturers, especially in the low- and mid-range segments, will have to improve their support policies.
Furthermore, the EU does not differentiate between price ranges in the application of the standard, so both budget phones and more advanced (flagship) models will have to meet the same minimum requirements.
Technical requirements: everything that changes in manufacturing and after-sales
In addition to software support and spare parts availability, the regulations include specific conditions affecting design and manufacturing:
- Battery: 800 charge cycles with at least 80% capacity.
- Physical protection: passing tests for resistance to shock, dust, and water, with verifiable certification.
- Repairability: Accessibility to parts, tools and information, even for independent workshops.
- Public evaluation of reparability and durability on the label: helps put pressure on manufacturers to ensure that these factors are not neglected.
How does EU law impact the shopping and usage experience?
For the user, the shopping experience will be much more transparent and protected. By choosing a new device, you'll be able to compare the true differences between models in terms of durability, battery life, and ease of repair.
Once purchased, the consumer is assured of at least five years of software support and the possibility of repairing faults thanks to the availability of critical parts, which substantially reduces the risk of being left unprotected.
For independent workshops, the regulations represent an opportunity, since They will be able to access spare parts and repair software without restrictions or exclusivity. for models marketed in the EU. This could revitalize the repair sector in many European countries.
This sweeping reform of European regulations represents a blow to planned obsolescence and a clear commitment to sustainability, the circular economy, and the protection of consumer rights. Those who purchase a mobile phone or tablet in the European Union starting in June 2025 will find devices that are much more durable, easier to repair, and guaranteed to receive security and operating system updates for a much longer period.
The regulations are poised to transform the international market and influence the way we use and care for our portable devices, rewarding manufacturers who truly commit to quality and transparency. Share this news so more users know about the new feature..