EU Battery Regulation — Removability and Replaceability Requirement for Portable and LMT Batteries (2027)
ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE
Effective February 18, 2027 (removability and replaceability requirement for portable and LMT batteries)
Overview
Under Article 11 of the EU Battery Regulation, portable batteries and batteries for light means of transport (LMT), such as those used in e-bikes and e-scooters, embedded in electronic devices must be designed so that end users or independent repairers can easily remove and replace them throughout the product's lifetime, without needing specialized tools or applying heat.
Enforcement Timeline
August 17, 2023: The new Battery Regulation enters into force.
February 18, 2027: The removability and replaceability design requirement becomes fully applicable to devices containing portable batteries and LMT batteries.
From 2027 onward: Smartphones, PCs, cordless home appliances, and e-bikes placed on the European market must comply with this design standard.
Business Impact
Hardware manufacturers that have relied on glued or integrally molded batteries to achieve water resistance or slim form factors will need to undertake substantial hardware redesigns toward safely removable modular structures, such as screw-mounted or cassette-style battery compartments.