EU Exempts Apple Watch From User-Replaceable Battery Rules

The European Union has expanded the list of consumer electronics exempt from its upcoming replaceable battery regulations, allowing devices such as the Apple Watch and fitness trackers to avoid the requirement for user-replaceable batteries. The updated rules, which will affect products sold across EU countries beginning in 2027, now include six additional product categories.

Among the newly exempt devices are wearable products, including smartwatches and fitness trackers, as well as electric toothbrushes. Instead of requiring consumers to replace batteries themselves, manufacturers only need to ensure that the batteries can be replaced by qualified service professionals.

The exemption is largely based on the importance of water resistance in these products. Opening the casing during a battery replacement can compromise waterproof seals, creating potential safety concerns. Maintaining water resistance after servicing typically requires specialized pressure testing, and redesigning these compact devices for simple battery access could significantly increase their thickness.

The EU’s repairability regulations have already influenced product strategies beyond wearables. Nintendo has confirmed it will discontinue sales of the original Nintendo Switch in Europe in 2027 because the console’s battery design does not comply with the new standards. Nintendo Direct sales will end in February 2027, and retailers will no longer receive additional inventory after that point.

Nintendo’s upcoming revised Switch 2 is expected to feature a battery that can be replaced to meet the EU’s requirements. The company has indicated there will be “no difference in functionality” between the current Switch 2 and the updated model, though it has not confirmed whether the redesign will affect the console’s size or battery life.

Apple’s latest smartphones are also expected to comply with the EU’s regulations. According to AppleInsider, the iPhone 17 lineup already meets the rules because Apple’s battery durability standards qualify for an exemption from mandatory easy-to-remove batteries. Apple also provides battery replacement kits that allow users to replace batteries without requiring highly specialized tools.

Although the EU’s legislation aims to improve product repairability and extend device lifespans, the latest exemptions indicate that products where water resistance is essential will continue to follow different battery replacement requirements.