Opening Summary
The European Commission has added smartwatches, fitness trackers, electric toys, and several other product categories to a proposed exemption from European rules that generally require portable batteries to be removable and replaceable by consumers. Batteries in covered products would still need to be replaceable by independent professionals, but owners may not be able to perform the replacement themselves. The decision highlights an increasingly important consumer question: when a battery wears out, should replacing one component be easy enough to prevent replacement of the entire product?
Primary official source
European Commission: “Commission Adds Exemptions to Rules on Removability of Portable Batteries”
Published July 14, 2026
Read the official European Commission announcement
A technician repairs an electronic device at a workbench. New European rules would allow batteries in some wearable devices to require replacement by an independent professional rather than by the consumer. Representative photograph by Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels; not a photograph of a specific smartwatch, manufacturer, or regulatory proceeding.
Summary
A worn-out battery is often the first major component to fail in a smartwatch, fitness tracker, or other small electronic device. When that battery cannot be replaced affordably, consumers may feel pressured to replace an otherwise functional product.
The European Union’s Batteries Regulation generally requires portable batteries in products sold within the EU to be removable and replaceable by consumers. The goal is to extend product life, make recycling easier, and reduce the number of usable devices discarded simply because their batteries have deteriorated.
The European Commission has adopted a delegated act proposing adding six categories to the exemption list. They include wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, electric toys, and certain specialized equipment designed for potentially explosive environments.
The exemption does not permit manufacturers to make the batteries permanently irreplaceable. Affected products must still be designed so that an independent professional can remove and replace the battery. In practice, however, owners may have to send a device to its manufacturer or take it to a qualified repair provider rather than replacing the battery themselves.
The Commission says the exemptions reflect technical and safety concerns. Small wearable devices must balance battery access with miniaturization, ergonomics, durability, and water resistance. Removing a tightly enclosed lithium-ion battery can also create a risk of puncture or damage.
For consumers, the practical question will be whether professional replacement is affordable and readily available. A battery may technically be replaceable, but if the service costs nearly as much as a new watch, replacement of the entire device may still appear more attractive.
For Replacement.com, this distinction matters: a product is not truly sustainable merely because a component can theoretically be replaced. Replacement parts, qualified service, reasonable prices, and clear repair information must all be available if consumers are expected to keep products longer.
The delegated act will now be reviewed by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. If neither objects, it will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal.
Why This Matters
Battery replacement can determine whether a product remains useful for years or becomes electronic waste. The new exemptions recognize genuine engineering and safety challenges, but they also make professional repair access and pricing even more important. Consumers buying wearable technology may increasingly want to ask not only how long the battery lasts—but also who can replace it, how much the service costs, and how long replacement batteries will remain available.
Primary official source
European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment. “Commission Adds Exemptions to Rules on Removability of Portable Batteries.” July 14, 2026.
Official European Commission article
Underlying regulation
European Parliament and Council of the European Union. “Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 Concerning Batteries and Waste Batteries.” July 12, 2023.
Independent supporting report
T3. “Hoping Your Next Smartwatch Will Have a Replaceable Battery? The EU Has Bad News.” July 16, 2026.
The T3 report is useful for translating the regulatory change into practical consumer terms, including the distinction between user replacement and professional replacement.
Photo source:
Tima Miroshnichenko. “A Skilled Technician at a Workbench in a Modern Electronics Lab Repairing a Device.” Pexels.
Original photograph
Source Note: This article was independently written and summarized by Replacement.com using the European Commission’s official announcement, the underlying EU Batteries Regulation, and independent consumer-technology reporting from T3. The European Commission has adopted the delegated act, but it remains subject to scrutiny by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. Readers should consult the linked official sources for the final legal text, effective date, covered product categories, manufacturer obligations, and any subsequent changes.