May 5, 2025, 8:56 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Starting in mid-2025, stricter regulations for smartphones and tablets will take effect in the EU. Manufacturers will be required not only to provide updates for a longer period but also to stock significantly more spare parts. This will impact consumers and will be reflected in future energy labels.
Starting June 20, 2025, the EU will require new smartphone and tablet manufacturers to extend the duration of smartphone updates and the availability of spare parts. The goal of the new Ecodesign Regulation: more sustainability, longer usage duration, and better repairability of mobile devices.
More Sustainability for Mobile Devices Through New EU Regulations
The draft law has been under discussion since the end of 2022. The revised EU Ecodesign Regulation, now being gradually implemented, brings significant changes to the smartphone and tablet industry. Following the introduction of the standardized USB-C port, which had visible impacts, the next milestone toward more sustainable electronics usage is now underway.
Five Years of Updates — Calculated from Market Withdrawal
From June 20, 2025, new smartphone and tablet models can only be sold if their manufacturers guarantee operating system and security updates for five years. The critical factor is not the sales start but the date when the respective model is withdrawn from the market.
As explained by Stiftung Warentest, this means that manufacturers must provide free operating system and security updates for smartphone and tablet models for at least five years, starting from the day the product is withdrawn from the market.
Seven Years of Spare Parts Mandatory
In addition to the update requirement, a new regulation on spare parts will also take effect. Manufacturers must ensure that key components such as batteries, cameras, or ports remain available for at least seven years after market withdrawal. In the first five years, these must be available within five working days, and in the following two years, the period is ten days.
According to Stiftung Warentest, manufacturers are also required to provide spare parts price lists and repair manuals.
Transparency Through the EU Energy Label
Another component of the Ecodesign Directive is the obligation for detailed consumer information. As with other devices such as televisions or washing machines, smartphones will also come with an EU Energy Label. This not only shows the energy efficiency class but also provides information on battery life, battery lifespan, and repairability.
The regulation also mandates that manufacturers include information on energy efficiency, battery life, and battery lifespan in the device’s technical documentation. Repairability is also a required disclosure.
QR Code Leads to Details in EU Database
The new energy label also includes a QR code. This links to the product page in the European Product Database for Energy Labeling (EPREL). There, consumers can find the label itself, technical data sheets, as well as information on spare part availability and supplier contacts.
Registration in EPREL will be mandatory for all smartphones and tablets newly launched on the market from June 20, 2025.
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Consumers Benefit in the Long Run
With the new regulations, the EU significantly enhances the longevity of mobile devices. For users, this means more transparency, longer usability, and easier repair. For manufacturers, it means clear obligations — and possibly a rethink in design and product strategy.
With material from dpa