EU Commission Exempts Wearables From User-Replaceable Battery Rules

The move marks a significant shift in the enforcement of the EU’s 2023 Batteries Regulation. By carving out specific categories of electronics, the Commission is effectively allowing companies like Apple and Meta to maintain sealed chassis designs for their smallest devices without facing regulatory blocks in the European market.

The Professional Exemption for Wearables

Under the new draft exemptions, several categories of electronics no longer need to feature batteries that an end-user can swap. These include smartwatches, fitness trackers, and smart glasses, as well as electronic toys, portable thermometers, roof-mounted telematics devices, and equipment designed for explosive atmospheres, according to the Commission.

The Commission justifies this “legislative tweak” based on the physical constraints of miniaturization. In a document published by The Register, the agency explains that batteries in these devices are often so tightly encapsulated that user removal could create a non-negligible risk of damage or piercing of the battery.

“Where the nature of the product hinders its redesign (anatomic or ergonomic considerations), it is justified that such small batteries be removable and replaceable only by independent professionals.”

European Commission, via The Register

This distinction is critical for products like the Apple Watch or Meta’s AI glasses. While the batteries must still be replaceable to avoid the waste of discarding a whole device, the task is shifted from the consumer to a trained professional.

Smartphone Deadlines and the €20 Billion Target

Wearables may have a reprieve, but smartphones and tablets remain firmly within the regulation’s crosshairs. Starting February 18, 2027, all smartphones and tablets sold in the EU must feature batteries that users can replace without specialized tools. If a manufacturer insists on using a tool for replacement, they must provide that tool free of charge at the time of purchase, according to Komersant.

The financial and environmental stakes for this specific transition are high. The EU estimates that this reform will help consumers save up to €20 billion by 2030. This target addresses a massive waste stream: the EU sells roughly 150 million smartphones and 24 million tablets annually, contributing to approximately 5 million metric tons of electronic waste each year, of which less than 40% is properly recycled.

Device Category	Battery Requirement (by 2027)	Tooling Requirement
Smartphones/Tablets	User-replaceable	Commercially available or provided free
Wearables (Watches/Glasses)	Professional-replaceable	Independent professional access
Medical Devices	Exempt/Professional	Varies by specific exemption

To further combat obsolescence, the rules mandate that replacement batteries remain available for at least five years after a specific model is discontinued. This is part of a phased rollout that includes a requirement for all manufacturers to switch to USB-C charging ports for devices produced after 2024 and a mandate for software updates to be provided for at least five years starting in 2025.

Industry Pressure and the Meta Connection

The European Commission has denied that it caved to external influence.

However, consumer advocates are less convinced. Cláudio Texeira, head of digital policy at the consumer protection group BEUC, warned that exempting these devices risks setting a dangerous precedent and argued that exceptions should be based on clear technical and safety evidence, not industry pressure.

Next Steps: Parliamentary Scrutiny and Privacy Reports

The exemptions are not yet final law. The delegated act must now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for scrutiny. If neither body objects, the exemptions will enter into force 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal of the EU. This puts the official legislation into play potentially in late November or early December 2026.

While the battery hurdle is clearing, smart glasses face a different regulatory battle: data privacy.

This privacy focus comes amid a U.S. class action lawsuit against Meta, alleging that private camera footage from Ray-Ban smart glasses was sent to a subcontractor in Kenya for manual review to train AI models. EU lawmakers are expected to assess their own actions based on the findings of the Data Protection Board’s report.

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