Big Tech European Commission will not force smartwatches and other wearables to have replaceable batteries The EU adopted regulation in 2023 that requires many electronics to have replaceable batteries by 2027. By Ian Carlos Campbell July 15, 2026 4:10 pm EST Mzabarovsky/Getty Images The European Commission has announced exemptions to its current battery regulation that will save six new categories of electronics from having to have user-replaceable batteries, including wearable devices like smartwatches. The European Union started enforcing its new Batteries Regulation in 2023 as part of the European Green Deal , but the replaceable batteries requirement doesn't go into effect until 2027. The regulation has already forced Nintendo to announce a new version of the Switch 2 with a user-replaceable battery. Wearables, certain medical devices, electronic toys, portable thermometers, roof-mounted telematics devices and devices designed to be used in "explosive atmospheres," are now exempt from having to have user-replaceable batteries, according to the Commission's draft exemptions . In terms of what actually qualifies as a wearable, the commission lists "smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart glasses or other electronic devices integrated into clothing and other accessories" as being exempt.
While these new devices don't need to have user-replaceable batteries, many will still have to be repairable by a trained professional. Also, even though the draft doesn't list wireless earbuds by name, devices like Apple's AirPods may fall under the exemption as "wearable devices for which the safety, durability, or water resistance may be compromised by user access to the battery." Smartphones are not exempt from the battery rule, but the current regulation allows for battery repairs that aren't as simple as popping off the back and slotting in a new battery. Per the current law , provided replacements don't require things like specialized tools (or those specialized tools are provided by the phone maker) and replacements don't effect the safety of the smartphone, then they're allowed by the EU. Apple's Self Service Repair program appears to qualify, for example.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2216075/european-commission-will-not-force-smartwatches-and-other-wearables-to-have-replaceable-batteries/
While these new devices don't need to have user-replaceable batteries, many will still have to be repairable by a trained professional. Also, even though the draft doesn't list wireless earbuds by name, devices like Apple's AirPods may fall under the exemption as "wearable devices for which the safety, durability, or water resistance may be compromised by user access to the battery." Smartphones are not exempt from the battery rule, but the current regulation allows for battery repairs that aren't as simple as popping off the back and slotting in a new battery. Per the current law , provided replacements don't require things like specialized tools (or those specialized tools are provided by the phone maker) and replacements don't effect the safety of the smartphone, then they're allowed by the EU. Apple's Self Service Repair program appears to qualify, for example.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2216075/european-commission-will-not-force-smartwatches-and-other-wearables-to-have-replaceable-batteries/