Smartphone, the European Union wants to extend life

The European Commission has introduced the draft of a new directive designed for increase the cycle of mobile phones sold throughout the Union. The idea is of fight the “disposable “ which forces consumers to replace their device with high frequency – about every 2 or 3 years second Handle – due to planned obsolescence. In doing so, the Commission is also aiming at reduce environmental pollution created by the production of the various components of smartphones, especially the batteries.

The proposals included in the draft – which will be in consultation between the Council of Europe and the European Parliament until 28 September – are numerous and aim both at improve the performance of the devices in the long term than to ensure consumers can easily repair their mobiles in case of malfunction. First, smartphone makers will have to guarantee spare parts for at least 15 smartphone components for at least five years from the date of introduction on the market. Second, the batteries will have to survive at least 500 full charges without deteriorating below 83% of their charge capacity. Finally, it is expected an energy label – as is already the case, for example, for washing machines and other household appliances – which clearly indicates the duration of the life cycle of the device and the level of resistance to falls.

According to the Commission, which also looks at tablets and other technological devices, if smartphone hardware is made more repairable and recyclable, the energy consumption associated with their production and use would be reduced by a third. According to a study taken from the Financial Times by the European Environment Office, a non-governmental body, extending the life cycle of all smartphones in the EU by five years would save around 10 million tonnes of CO emissions₂. For comparison, it would be equivalent to take 5 million cars off the road.

The proposal comes after the European Commission introduced in June the obligation for electronics manufacturers to use a single charger – USB-C – for all electronic devices, from smartphones to consoles. As evidence of the will of the European authorities to intervene decisively for protect European consumers while minimizing the environmental impact of the electronics industry.