Starting June 20, all smartphones and tablets sold in the European Union must comply with new requirements set by Regulation 2023/1669. This regulation introduces a mandatory energy label that will provide consumers with information on aspects such as energy efficiency, durability, ease of repair, and resistance of these devices.
This initiative reflects the growing commitment of the tech industry to caring for the planet and environmental responsibility. By encouraging the manufacture of more durable and repairable devices, electronic waste generation is reduced, and more conscious consumption is promoted. It is, without a doubt, an invitation for both manufacturers and users to look beyond the immediate and choose products that respect the planet’s resources.
This new system follows the model already implemented for household appliances and televisions and will mark a turning point in how technology is understood and consumed. What does this label really mean, and how should it be interpreted? Experts from the Spanish technology brand SPC break down the details of what each piece of information on the new label means and how to interpret it.
Beyond the battery: how to read the new label for smartphones and tablets
- Product Identifier (I, II, III): the label will clearly include the brand, model, and a QR code linking to the product information page in the European Product Registry for Energy Labeling (EPREL).
- Energy rating (IV, V): indicates the device’s energy efficiency using a rating scale from A to G, with A being the lowest consumption and G the highest. Consumers will be able to easily understand the device’s energy consumption before purchase. Energy efficiency depends on factors such as the processor, screen type, and charge cycle management.
- Battery life (VI): the new label will show how many hours and minutes the device can operate before needing a recharge under standardized usage conditions: same brightness, network, volume, etc.
- Drop resistance (VII): this index expresses the robustness and durability of smartphones on a scale from A to E, with A being the highest resistance and E the lowest. The new regulation requires a minimum resistance to 45 drops without a case or screen protector for smartphones. Tablets, due to their design and typical usage, are exempt from this minimum resistance requirement.
- Repairability index (VIII): one of the main innovations of this new labeling system, it aims to promote the circular economy and maximize the lifespan of smartphones and tablets. This index is calculated based on ease of disassembly, parts replacement, and access to the technical information needed for repairs, and is rated from A to E, with A being the highest repairability. This new index seeks to standardize the measurement of this parameter and encourage repair and refurbishment over buying new devices.
- Battery lifespan (IX): this figure shows how many times the battery can be charged and discharged (charge cycle) before it starts to lose capacity significantly, allowing users to quickly understand the battery’s estimated longevity. The new regulation requires smartphone and tablet batteries to retain 80% of their initial capacity after 800 charge cycles. In this regard, brands like SPC implement intelligent charging systems that promote battery health to extend their lifespan.
- Dust and water resistance (X): the label also specifies the device’s protection against dust and liquids according to the Ingress Protection (IP) certification, a system composed of two numbers: the first digit indicates dust resistance (6 being the maximum protection), and the second digit indicates water resistance (9 being the highest). The new regulation sets a minimum resistance of IP44 for smartphones, protecting against water splashes from any direction and solid particles larger than 1mm; and a minimum resistance of IP40 for tablets, protecting against accidental water splashes and solid particles of 1mm or larger.
- Regulation number (XI): this is the code under which the product is registered in the EPREL Registry.
SPC, aligned with new European sustainability standards
This new system makes energy efficiency, sustainability, and repairability key factors when choosing a device. The labeling also provides transparency and allows users to easily compare different market models on aspects that were previously hidden or unstandardized. In this context, brands like SPC, with in-house design in Spain and full control over the development process, position themselves at the forefront of regulatory adaptation. Even before the official enforcement date, SPC has fully integrated the requirements as part of its commitment to sustainability, responsible consumption, repairability, and technological accessibility.
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