EU changes the rules: no smartphone change all 2 years

In 2025, the European Union introduces revolutionary changes to the regulations on smartphones and tablets, which are intended to prolong their lifespan and reduce the increasing wave of electro-smoke. According to data from the European Commission, EU citizens produce around 5 million tonnes of waste from smartphones and electronic devices per year, a major threat to the environment and the burden of waste management.

Statistics and problem scale

In 2022, more than 14 million tonnes of fresh electronic devices were placed on the EU market, of which a large part is rapidly disposed of due to short-term use. The average European generates an average of 11 kg of electricity per year, while in Poland this figure reaches 14.6 kg, which ranks us above the EU average. The main reason for this is the fast usage of mobile devices, as well as the practice of manufacturers forcing consumers to exchange equipment frequently.

Environmental expert Prof. Janusz Mazur of Warsaw University of Technology, points out: "The fast rotation of smartphones generates immense amounts of electronic waste that are hard to recycle and contain toxic substances. The fresh regulation aims to extend the life of these devices, which will benefit both the environment and consumers."

New requirements of the European Union - what has changed since June 2025?

On 20 June 2025, smartphone and tablet manufacturers will gotta adapt their products to a number of fresh standards imposed by the EU. The most crucial of these are:

• Higher mechanical resistance – fresh smartphones must have a minimum IP52 certificate, which means better protection against dust and moisture, importantly expanding the durability of the device.
• Easy access to spare parts – manufacturers will be required to guarantee that basic components specified as batteries, screens, cameras are available for at least 7 years from the date of acquisition of the device.
• More durable and more energy-efficient batteries – the battery is expected to hold a minimum of 80% capacity after 800 charging cycles. Replacement batteries are to be simplified and accessible to users without specialized service.
• Longer strategy support – devices must be updated for a minimum of 3 years and safety improvements for at least 5 years from the date of launch.
• Energy labelling – on packaging and on the manufacturer's pages, there will be mandatory transparent labels indicating the durability, battery exchangeability and energy efficiency of the device.

These requirements are intended to counter the phenomenon of planned aging of products, which led to reduced efficiency and durability of smartphones, and consequently to fast replacement for a newer model.

Benefits for consumers and the environment

As calculated by the European Commission, implementation of these rules could lead to 2030 30% simplification in electro-waste production in EU countries. This means reducing waste by about 1.5 million tonnes per year.

In addition, consumers can save up to €20 billion per year, which is the consequence of little equipment and little service costs thanks to easier availability of spare parts. A telecommunications marketplace analyst, Anna Kowalska of PMR, notes: "New regulations will besides stimulate manufacturers to make more durable and repairable products, which is beneficial for the full technological ecosystem."

How will changes affect the marketplace and manufacturers?

Producers who do not comply with the fresh requirements will be exposed to advanced fines and even to a ban on selling their equipment within the European Union. This is simply a strong incentive to change production policy, which forces manufacture to control to a more sustainable business model.

In addition, consumers will gain more control over their devices, which can change purchasing habits – alternatively of buying fresh models all 2 years, they will be willing to usage their equipment longer.

What can users do today?

Experts advise smartphone users to take care of their devices, optimize battery settings and usage repair services alternatively of replacing the telephone with a fresh one. The upcoming regulations will besides make the replacement of utilized components easier, which will importantly reduce operating costs.

Prof. Mazur emphasises: "The environmental and economical awareness of consumers combined with EU regulations is key to reducing the negative impact of electronics on the environment."