EU exempts earbuds and smartwatches from 2027 battery rule

The European Union added exemptions for smartwatches, fitness trackers and wireless earbuds to its removable-battery rules ahead of the law taking effect in February 2027.

TL;DR

• The EU’s user-replaceable battery rules are due to take effect in February 2027.
• The EU added exemptions for categories including smartwatches, fitness trackers and wireless earbuds.
• The exemptions address devices where removable batteries could affect features such as water resistance.

The European Union prepared legislation in 2022 that requires user-replaceable batteries on electronic devices. According to the source, those rules will start applying in February 2027.

The new exemptions cover devices where a removable battery could interfere with product characteristics such as water resistance. GSM Arena said the EU added several exemptions for that reason.

One category named in the exemptions is “wet appliances.” The source said this category includes wearable devices such as wireless earbuds and heart rate monitors, which places products like smartwatches and fitness trackers among the exempted device types.

Related questions

• When do the EU removable-battery rules take effect?
• Which device categories did the EU exempt from the battery rule?
• Why did the EU add exemptions for some wearable devices?