The European Union has introduced new regulations requiring Apple and other smartphone manufacturers to display standardized repairability scores and battery life labels on devices sold within its member states. Effective from June 20, 2025, this move aims to empower consumers with transparent information about device sustainability, durability, and energy efficiency, while also encouraging manufacturers to improve product longevity. Apple complies with these rules but has raised concerns about certain testing ambiguities, leading to voluntary score adjustments.
EU’s New Sustainability Labels for Apple Devices
What the Labels Include
The new EU regulations mandate that all smartphones and tablets sold in the region must carry detailed labels covering several key aspects:
- Energy Efficiency: Rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), reflecting the device’s power consumption.
- Battery Life and Longevity: Battery capacity (in mAh), expected battery life per full charge (hours and minutes), and the minimum battery retention of 80% capacity after 800 full charge cycles.
- Repairability Score: Graded from A to E, indicating how easily a device can be repaired and the availability of spare parts.
- Durability Metrics: Including drop resistance and ingress protection ratings against dust and water.
- Additional Information: Such as screen scratch resistance (Mohs hardness scale) and guaranteed security update periods.
Manufacturers must also ensure spare parts availability for at least seven years after the last unit of a model is sold in the EU, extending Apple’s existing policy of five to seven years.
Apple’s Compliance and Adjustments
Apple’s current iPhone lineup meets the highest “A” grade in energy efficiency based on EU testing. However, Apple voluntarily downgraded these ratings to “B” due to ambiguities in the EU’s testing protocols, particularly regarding energy efficiency and drop resistance tests. Apple expressed concerns that these standardized tests may not fully capture real-world usage and durability, prompting a cautious approach to scoring.
Battery capacities for recent Apple models include:
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4,685mAh
- iPhone 16 Pro: 3,582mAh
- iPhone 16: 3,349mAh
- iPhone 16 Plus: 4,674mAh
Apple provides detailed product information sheets online and physically with devices sold in the EU, ensuring consumers can easily access these sustainability metrics.
Impact on Consumers and the Industry
Empowering Consumer Choice
The EU’s energy label database (European Product Registry for Energy Labelling – EPREL) allows buyers to compare technical and environmental performance across smartphone brands and models. This transparency is expected to influence purchasing decisions by highlighting device sustainability and repairability, encouraging consumers to opt for longer-lasting, more environmentally friendly products.
Environmental Benefits
Environmental groups have welcomed the EU’s initiative as a crucial step toward reducing the 14 million tons of electronic waste generated annually in Europe. By enforcing standards for battery longevity and repairability, the regulations aim to extend device lifespans and minimize premature disposal.
Industry Reactions and Challenges
While Apple aligns many of its sustainability practices with the EU’s goals—such as offering long software update support, official repair services, and a self-service repair program—some industry analysts caution that compliance costs may increase device prices, particularly for budget models. The new rules require manufacturers to maintain spare parts inventories longer and provide detailed technical disclosures, potentially raising production and logistics expenses.
Apple’s voluntary downgrading of some scores reflects concerns about the clarity and fairness of the EU’s testing methods. The company advocates for testing protocols that better reflect real-world device use and durability
What This Means for Apple Users in the EU
- More Transparency: Buyers will receive clear, standardized information on how energy efficient, durable, and repairable their Apple devices are.
- Longer Support: Apple must provide spare parts for at least seven years post-sale, facilitating repairs and extending device usability.
- Battery Assurance: Batteries must retain at least 80% capacity after 800 charge cycles, ensuring longer battery life.
- Informed Decisions: Consumers can use the EU’s online registry to compare Apple devices with competitors on sustainability metrics.
The EU’s introduction of repairability and battery life labels on Apple devices marks a significant advancement in consumer rights and environmental responsibility. By mandating transparent sustainability information, the EU pushes manufacturers toward greener practices and empowers consumers to make informed choices. Apple’s cautious compliance highlights ongoing challenges in standardizing testing methods but underscores the company’s commitment to meeting evolving regulatory landscapes. As these labels become standard, they are poised to reshape the smartphone market in Europe, promoting durability, repairability, and sustainability as key factors in purchasing decisions.
