Beginning June 2025, all smartphones, tablets, and similar electronic devices sold within the European Union (EU) will bear a new sticker in their packaging, providing essential information about battery life and energy efficiency. This initiative is part of the Energy Labelling Regulation, which the European Parliament commissioned on April 16. Its purpose is to empower consumers to choose more sustainable and energy-efficient products.
EPREL Sticker on Electronic Devices Sold in EU
The new regulation mandates that electronic devices released in the market must display an European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) sticker, informally referred to as an ENERGY label. This label will indicate the energy class and battery endurance for each product unit. The requirement will come into effect for products launched from June 20, 2025, with a focus on enhancing product longevity.
This legislation will cover a range of devices, including cordless phones operating on landline networks, smartphones utilizing cellular or satellite connections, basic feature phones without internet capabilities, and tablets with screens measuring between 7 and 17.4 inches.
Notably, smartphones and tablets featuring flexible main screens are exempt from this regulation. Devices will need to provide details regarding their energy efficiency, battery lifespan, dust and water resistance ratings, and resistance to accidental drops. Additionally, a repairability score must be displayed on products entering the EU market.
The European Commission aims for this regulation to assist consumers in making informed and sustainable decisions when acquiring electronic devices. Should manufacturers implement changes, such as operating system upgrades, the devices will have to undergo re-testing, and the energy label must be updated accordingly if any discrepancies in specifications arise.
As part of the eco-design requirements, devices must also meet the following standards:
Photo Credit: European Commission
- Resistance to accidental drops or scratches and protection from dust and water.
- Sufficiently durable batteries capable of enduring at least 800 charge and discharge cycles while retaining a minimum of 80% of their original capacity.
- Rules regarding disassembly and repair, obligating producers to make critical spare parts available within 5-10 working days and for up to 7 years after a product model’s market exit in the EU.
- Availability of operating system updates for a minimum of 5 years from the last unit’s market placement of a product model.
- Equal access for professional repairers to necessary software or firmware for replacements.
The report indicates that mobile phones and tablets produced in alignment with these stipulations could save up to 14 terawatt-hours in primary energy annually by 2030. Additionally, these measures are designed to optimize the use and recycling of vital raw materials.
