From 20 June 2025, all new smartphones and tablets must meet new ecodesign requirements covering reparability, software updates, durability and battery life. 

Associated energy labelling requirements mandate the display of information on devices’ energy efficiency, battery longevity, protection from dust and water, and resistance to accidental drops, as well as providing a repairability score.

The ecodesign requirements include:

• resistance to accidental drops or scratches and protection from dust and water;
• batteries must retain at least 80% of their initial capacity after at least 800 endurance cycles;
• obligations for producers to make critical spare parts available within five to ten working days, and for seven years after the product model has ceased to be sold on the market;
• availability of operating system upgrades for longer periods (at least five years from the date of the end of placement on the market of the last unit of a device); and
• non-discriminatory access for professional repairers to any software or firmware needed for the replacement of spare parts.

The ecodesign rules for mobile phones and tablets were adopted under the ecodesign framework of the directive. According to the transition rules between the Ecodesign directive and the new Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR), the ecodesign rules for mobile phones and tablets will remain in force until repealed. These measures can still be amended until 2030.

Our new Tracker provides a concise description of the EU ecodesign rules and puts them into context.

For more information and access to the Tracker, please click on “Access the full content” - or on “Request Access”, in case you are not subscribed to our Sustainability service.