The European Union want electronic manufacturers to develop sustainably according to circular economy Action plan 2020 According to the latest draft proposals, European regulators want smartphones and tablets to be long-lasting and durable.
The Financial Times reports that regulators plan to force smartphone makers to supply at least 15 spare parts to professionals within a minimum of 5 years from launch. So customers can easily have their phones repaired if they want and are not forced to upgrade.
What is the Circular Economic Action Plan 2020 and what does the draft say
For those unaware, Circular Economy aims to prevent waste from being produced in the first place. It is based on three principles, guided by design: Elimination of waste and pollution; rotation of products and materials (at their highest value); and Nature Reproduction. With the recent draft proposal, the EU aims to reduce the carbon footprint that phones leave behind after being discarded.
Follow European Environment Agency, extending the life of a phone by five years would equate to saving 10 million tons of CO2 emissions or removing 5 million cars from the roads of Europe. Regulators say that if phones and tablets were made to be better able to repair and recycle, the energy consumed in making them could be cut by a third. “Devices are often replaced prematurely by users and, at the end of their useful life, are not fully reused or recycled, resulting in a waste of resources,” the draft proposed.
Not only that, but regulators want manufacturers to use batteries to last at least 500 charges without degradation below 83%. Furthermore, the phone will have to display an energy efficiency label, similar to what you see on home appliances. Even manufacturers will be forced to ensure that software updates don’t adversely affect battery life.
Devices that do not fall under the new rule
Currently, the draft proposal includes smartphones, standard phones, and tablets. However, smartphones with folding screens “that the user can partially or fully unfold and roll back”, are exempt from these regulations. Devices that do not conform to EU sustainability standards will be removed from the market.
Meanwhile, smartphone manufacturers think differently as they require more available parts which will increase plastic consumption.
Digital Europe, a European trade organization whose members include Apple, SAMSUNG, Google and Xiaomi“Potential overproduction, warehousing and subsequent destruction of spare parts will naturally lead to wasted resources, reduced material efficiency, and ultimately negative economic value,” said. at a higher cost to consumers.”
This is another big blow from European regulators to smartphone makers, but it affects all. In June, the EU made it mandatory to use standardized chargers, possibly USB C, by 2024 for all products sold in the European market.
The Financial Times reports that regulators plan to force smartphone makers to supply at least 15 spare parts to professionals within a minimum of 5 years from launch. So customers can easily have their phones repaired if they want and are not forced to upgrade.
What is the Circular Economic Action Plan 2020 and what does the draft say
For those unaware, Circular Economy aims to prevent waste from being produced in the first place. It is based on three principles, guided by design: Elimination of waste and pollution; rotation of products and materials (at their highest value); and Nature Reproduction. With the recent draft proposal, the EU aims to reduce the carbon footprint that phones leave behind after being discarded.
Follow European Environment Agency, extending the life of a phone by five years would equate to saving 10 million tons of CO2 emissions or removing 5 million cars from the roads of Europe. Regulators say that if phones and tablets were made to be better able to repair and recycle, the energy consumed in making them could be cut by a third. “Devices are often replaced prematurely by users and, at the end of their useful life, are not fully reused or recycled, resulting in a waste of resources,” the draft proposed.
Not only that, but regulators want manufacturers to use batteries to last at least 500 charges without degradation below 83%. Furthermore, the phone will have to display an energy efficiency label, similar to what you see on home appliances. Even manufacturers will be forced to ensure that software updates don’t adversely affect battery life.
Devices that do not fall under the new rule
Currently, the draft proposal includes smartphones, standard phones, and tablets. However, smartphones with folding screens “that the user can partially or fully unfold and roll back”, are exempt from these regulations. Devices that do not conform to EU sustainability standards will be removed from the market.
Meanwhile, smartphone manufacturers think differently as they require more available parts which will increase plastic consumption.
Digital Europe, a European trade organization whose members include Apple, SAMSUNG, Google and Xiaomi“Potential overproduction, warehousing and subsequent destruction of spare parts will naturally lead to wasted resources, reduced material efficiency, and ultimately negative economic value,” said. at a higher cost to consumers.”
This is another big blow from European regulators to smartphone makers, but it affects all. In June, the EU made it mandatory to use standardized chargers, possibly USB C, by 2024 for all products sold in the European market.
