The growing demand for smartphones and tablets, along with their wide range of features, has led to an increased need for energy and materials. The devices are often replaced before they reach the end of their useful (technical) life and not enough is done to reuse or recycle them. This gives rise to Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 which lays down the ecodesign requirements for smartphones and tablets.
Detailed Ecodesign Requirements for Smartphones & Tablets
Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 is established within the Ecodesign framework Directive 2009/125/EC.
The ecodesign requirements for smartphones and tablets are related to:
- Design for reliability (resistance to drops, scratches, dust and water);
- Ability to be disassembled and repaired;
- Availability of operating system version upgrades;
- Data deletion and the transfer of functionalities after use;
- Provision of appropriate information for users, repairers and recyclers;
- Battery endurance.
Remarks: Currently ecodesign requirements for cordless phones are included in Regulation (EU) 2023/826 regarding off mode and standby mode. To prevent any overlap, cordless phones will be excluded from Regulation (EU) 2023/826.
Learn More:
EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR): A Complete Guide
How About Energy Labelling?
Energy labels on smartphones and slate tablets must apply to Regulation (EU) 2023/1669 and will also become mandatory from 20 June 2025. Regulation (EU) 2023/1669 supplements energy labelling framework Regulation (EU) 2017/1369.
A typical energy label should have the followings:
(I) | QR code (in black) |
(II) | Trade mark in black and bold |
(III) | Model identifier in black |
(IV) | Energy efficiency classes ranging from A to G |
(V) | Energy efficiency class (actual) |
(VI) | Battery endurance per cycle |
(VII) | Free fall reliability class |
(VIII) | Repairability class / index (R) |
(IX) | Battery endurance in cycles |
(X) | Ingress Protection (IP) code |
(XI) | Regulation number: ‘2023/1669’. |
Obligations for Suppliers & Dealers
Suppliers shall ensure that each individual product is accompanied with accurate printed energy labels (Annex III) and with product information sheets (Annex V). The supplier is also obliged to enter information in the European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL).
Dealers shall display the energy label at the point of sale (stores and websites) in such a way that is clearly visible for consumers so they can make an informed buying decision. The regulation prescribes specific requirements for information to be provided in advertisements, promotional material and in distance selling on the internet.
Implementation Timeline
From 20 June 2025 ecodesign and energy labelling requirements for smartphones, cordless phones, other mobile phones and slate tablets will become mandatory.
This article is originally published by ProductIP:
Caspar ter Horst – Managing Director, ProductIP
Caspar has 25+ years of experience in product compliance. In 2008, he co-founded ProductIP together with Maarten van der Dussen. Caspar and his team are dedicated to support companies within the supply chain to efficiently demonstrate to customers, authorities, and users that their products meet applicable legislation and buying requirements. As a result, helping companies reduce costs, streamline operations, manage suppliers, and at the same time put compliant, safer, more sustainable products to the market.
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