In accordance with the ecodesign principles approved by the Member States and the EP, mobile phones, cordless phones and tablets sold in the EU are to be more durable and resistant to both damage, such as accidental drops or scratches, as well as external factors, including water, dust and sand. Manufacturers are also to guarantee a better lifespan of devices, including ensuring that the batteries used in them will be able to withstand at least 800 charge and discharge cycles while maintaining at least 80 percent of their energy. its capacity. This, experts explain, would give users about 3-4 years of standard use of a phone or tablet. Today, according to research conducted by the Battery University organization, batteries in mobile phones last in good condition on average for half of that, i.e. 300-500 charges, with manufacturers with battery efficiency oscillating at the level of 80%. or less recommend replacing it. A weak battery not only means that you need to recharge it frequently, but it also slows down your device and its performance, causing it to heat up faster and shut down more often.
Repair telephones
Mobile phones and tablets are also to be easily repairable. Manufacturers will be required to design equipment so that it can be disassembled and damaged. So far, many devices simply could not be repaired, because, for example, the manufacturer did not provide spare parts for them or they were sealed so that they could not be opened. The costs of a possible repair were unprofitable and often exceeded the value of the device. Hence, many used appliances ended up in the trash, and consumers were forced to buy new ones. Now that is about to change. Companies will have to offer repair services to customers or make spare parts available to repairers within 5-10 working days of notification. In addition, the manufacturer will have to ensure that the parts will be available on the market for another seven years after the model is withdrawn from sale.
Similarly, for software, manufacturers will be required to provide updates to the operating system for at least five years after the product has been placed on the market, and if necessary, allow software replacement. “Our phone should last more than two or three years. And if it gets damaged in the meantime, it should be easy to repair. Too often, smartphones lose their functionality due to a declining battery or software updates that make older models obsolete, said European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans. EU officials add that the popularization of equipment repair is not only to extend the life of products, but also to eliminate the phenomenon of their deliberate aging, which occurs when manufacturers design equipment so that they have a limited life cycle. “These regulations are very beneficial for consumers, and obviously less so for producers, because they impose more obligations on them,” an EU official admits in an interview with DW. – But the goal of ecodesign is to leave the most efficient products on the EU market and eliminate the weakest ones in time – he adds.
How long will the battery last?
Also today, the Commission has proposed introduction of new energy labels for mobile phones and tablets. These, in addition to the standard AG scale defining the energy efficiency of the equipment, will also contain additional icons informing about how resistant the device is to dust, water, and falling. And so, in the case of water, the label will specify whether the phone or tablet will withstand full immersion in water or rather just accidental splashing, the fall resistance will be determined on a scale from A to E, where A will mean the highest durability and E – the least. The labels will also contain information about battery life, specifically how many hours and minutes a given battery will last after charging. For the first time too they will contain information about the possibility of repairing the equipment – its repairability will also be assessed on a scale from A to E, where A means high repairability and E low. “Such a label is useful because it will help consumers better understand and compare the performance and quality of products, so they can make informed purchasing choices,” says EU consumer organization BEUC.
The EC plans to adopt the labels immediately, within 2 months at the latest. So that both acts come into force at the same time.
Source: Gazeta
At 247 News Agency, Jason has covered a wide range of topics, from politics and business to crime and entertainment. He is highly respected by his colleagues and peers, and his articles are widely read and shared. With a passion for news and a commitment to accuracy, Jason Root is a valuable asset to the 247 News Agency team.
