The European Union has pushed digital businesses to be more honest with their customers, and the latest mandate is a positive move in that direction.
Beginning June 20, 2025, all smartphones and tablets sold in the EU will include a new label inside the box that indicates battery life and efficiency. This is an updated version of the energy label that Europeans are already accustomed to seeing on household appliances, suited to the type of information that consumers now expect from their electronics.
Which products must meet the new requirements?
The regulation applies to cordless phones (used for landlines), smartphones for cellular or satellite networks, feature phones without internet or third-party apps, and tablets with screens ranging from 7 to 17.4 inches. Only gadgets in these categories will be available on the market beginning June 20, 2025.
This criterion does not apply to devices having flexible primary screens that can be unrolled partially or fully. Phones and tablets that were on the EU market before June 20 are also exempt.
What exactly are the requirements?
All devices described above must meet five major ecodesign criteria:
- Devices should be durable and resistant to dust and water.
- Battery longevity: Batteries must withstand at least 800 complete charge and discharge cycles while retaining at least 80% of their initial capacity.
- Repairability: Manufacturers must make key replacement parts available within 5 to 10 working days and continue to provide them for 7 years after the product is no longer offered in the EU. Software
- support: Devices must receive operating system upgrades for at least 5 years after the end-of-sale date.
- Repair access: Professional repairers must have unrestricted access to any necessary software or firmware.
What exactly does the sticker look like?
The European Product Registry for Energy Labeling (EPREL) sticker, also known as the ENERGY label, will provide seven crucial pieces of information. We've already seen a prototype sticker on a phone designed for the European market, showing that the system is definitely being implemented.
Who ensures the accuracy of this data?
All providers operating in the EU/EEA market, whether manufacturers, importers, or authorized representatives, must register their product models on the European Commission's dedicated EPREL platform.
While manufacturers are responsible for supplying correct data, the Commission will verify information regarding ingress protection, repairability, and battery performance.
We spoke with representatives from the European Commission, who stated that their goal for device testing is quite similar to the work we've been doing at GSMArena.com for over 15 years.
In late 2023, we released an updated set of tests and began working with the French automation startup SmartViser. That same company now provides testing solutions to manufacturers, implying that the methodology we helped build would enable millions of European consumers to make more informed purchases.
What does this entail for the final consumer?
The Ecodesign certification is part of a broader EU program to improve energy efficiency by 2030. The program aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 46 million tonnes and save households an average of €150, on top of existing ecodesign efforts.
While these laws legally apply solely within the EU, their impact may extend far beyond the 27 member nations. Smartphone makers are already expanding software update support globally, and handsets are becoming more durable and repairable, which benefits consumers everywhere.
In the future, firms may choose to streamline production and meet EU regulations internationally rather than developing unique versions for each country.