The European Council has adopted new regulations that allow mobile phone batteries to be dismantled and replaced by users themselves.

Thanks to CTOnews.com netizen Coje_He for the clue delivery! CTOnews.com, July 13 (Xinhua)-- the European Council passed a new law earlier this week aimed at promoting circular economy and strengthening sustainable development rules for batteries and waste batteries.

The new regulation will regulate the full life cycle of all types of batteries, including all discarded portable batteries, electric vehicle batteries, industrial batteries, starting, lighting and ignition (SLI) batteries (mainly for vehicles and machinery) and batteries for light vehicles (such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, electric scooters).

According to the regulation, "portable batteries embedded in devices should be able to be removed and replaced by users by 2027." The European Commission says manufacturers, including Samsung and Apple, should have enough time to adjust their hardware and designs to meet new EU regulations in 2027.

But does this mean that phones that can remove and replace batteries without tools will return? Not necessarily. In the case of the EU proposal, portable batteries refer to batteries that users can "remove using tools available on the market". If this cannot be done, the EU requires manufacturers to provide specialized tools free of charge. However, the regulations do not require users to replace batteries without using any tools. As a result, traditional mobile phone designs that allow batteries to be replaced without tools may not revive.

CTOnews.com notes that Samsung has taken a step forward in complying with new EU rules. The 2023 release of the Galaxy phone uses batteries that no longer stick to the frame. The new batteries are placed in special adhesive bags that users can disassemble relatively easily without the use of hot guns or solvents.

In addition, the European Commission has set a new target for battery manufacturers to recycle waste batteries (63% by the end of 2027 and 73% by the end of 2030). The EU has also set a target of 50% lithium recovery and 80% nickel-cadmium battery recovery efficiency in 2027.