Smartphones to get labels with battery life data and more – EU introduces eco-label

From 20 June 2025, all new smartphone and tablet models sold in the EU will have to come with a new label inside the product packaging. It will contain information about battery life and efficiency. Similar information has been included on the labels of various household appliances sold in the EU for some time now.

Image source: Counterpointresearch.com

The new rules apply to cordless phones (used as fixed-line phones), smartphones for cellular or satellite networks, phones without internet or third-party app support, and tablets with screens between 7 and 17.4 inches that will be sold in the EU from 20 June 2025. Devices with flexible main displays that can be partially or fully unfolded are exempt from this requirement. The rule also does not apply to phones and tablets that were already on sale in the EU before 20 June. Devices covered by the new rules must meet five key ecodesign criteria:

• Durability – devices must be resistant to accidental drops, as well as protected from dust and water.
• Battery durability – Device batteries should be designed to last at least 800 full charge and discharge cycles while maintaining at least 80% of their original capacity.
• Repairability – Manufacturers must provide critical spare parts within 5-10 working days and ensure their supply for 7 years after the end of sales of a given product in EU countries.
• Software support – devices must receive operating system updates for at least 5 years from the end of sale date.
• Repair Availability – Professional repairers must have non-discriminatory access to any necessary software or firmware.

The European Product Register for Energy Labelling (EPREL) sticker, also known as ENERGY, will contain seven key pieces of information: the energy efficiency scale and energy efficiency level of the specific device, the battery life, the drop resistance class, the number of charge cycles, the repairability class, and the protection class. All suppliers (manufacturers, importers or authorised representatives) operating on the EU/EEA market must register their products through a dedicated EPREL platform managed by the European Commission. Manufacturers will be responsible for providing accurate data. The Commission will check the information regarding the device’s tamper resistance, repairability and battery energy efficiency.

Image source: European Commission

The Ecodesign label is part of a wider EU campaign to make electronic devices more energy efficient by 2030. The initiative is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 46 million tonnes and save each household an average of €150, in addition to the savings already achieved through existing ecodesign measures.

While these rules officially only apply in the EU, their impact could extend far beyond the 27 member states. Some smartphone makers are already expanding software update support globally, while devices are becoming more durable and easier to repair, benefiting consumers everywhere.