EU plans to restrict use of glue to bond batteries in electronic products

According to the latest report, the European Union plans to ban the use of glue to bond batteries in electronic products from next year.

It is reported that some smartphone OEM manufacturers have begun to install batteries with pull tabs to facilitate removal, but Others have yet to do so, such as Samsung, which continues to use adhesives to attach batteries to the bodies of its mobile products.

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The practice of using glue to bond batteries has a huge negative impact on repairability, making it nearly impossible for users to replace batteries themselves while making battery replacements more difficult and expensive for repair shops.

From January 1, 2023, the EU wants to ban the practice of gluing batteries across the entire consumer electronics sector, including smartphones, tablets, other mobile computers, wireless headphones, electric scooters, and other battery-powered products.

Moreover, using glue to bond batteries also poses a greater threat to the environment. The EU also intends to increase the proportion of recycled raw materials used in batteries, including cobalt, nickel, lithium, and lead. The council is targeting a 90 percent recycling rate by 2026.

The EU aims to create a more sustainable market that promotes the durability and repairability of equipment. This does not mean that smartphone OEMs like Samsung will be forced to make devices with user-removable batteries, but Samsung will have to find other solutions than using adhesives.

Additionally, if Samsung wants to continue operating in Europe, the company will have to ensure that there are enough replacement batteries available for the life of the product. 

Furthermore, the EU wants to ensure that users have the option of conveniently servicing their devices and replacing batteries, rather than being forced to upgrade to newer devices if replacement parts are not available.

(via)