EU exempts Apple Watch from replaceable battery rules

The European Commission has revised its battery regulations to exempt devices such as the Apple Watch from rules that would have required batteries to be removable and replaceable by users.

As first spotted by Politico, the change relaxes requirements under the EU’s Batteries Regulation, which generally says portable batteries built into products must be removable and replaceable by users throughout a device’s lifetime. The new exemption covers wearable devices where opening the product could compromise safety, durability, or water resistance, as well as devices that are simply too small for safe battery replacement or depend on sealed, compact enclosures.

That exemption includes:

• smartwatches
• smart glasses
• fitness trackers
• other small wearable devices

The measure is not fully final yet. After adoption by the Commission, the delegated act goes to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for scrutiny. According to the Commission, it will take effect 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU if neither body objects.

The move follows criticism from the U.S. ambassador to the EU, who reportedly said the battery rules had delayed the European launch of Meta’s new smart glasses. A Commission spokesperson told Politico that it “has not given in to anyone’s pressure,” and said the proposal followed broad public consultation with consumer associations, industry stakeholders, and Member States.

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“has not given in to anyone’s pressure” “follow a broad public consultation with consumer associations, industry stakeholders and the Member States.” “is not about regulating one specific product” but “to ensure safer consumer and industrial products in cases where opening a device could create safety risks or where technical limits make consumer access unrealistic.”

For Apple, the change removes a potential regulatory obstacle in Europe and allows the Apple Watch to keep its sealed battery design without a major redesign for the EU market.