EU Energy Efficiency Labeling Requirements for Smartphones and Tablets

Energy‑efficiency labels, traditionally seen on household appliances, will for the first time appear on smartphones, cordless phones, and tablets, providing consumers with clear information about product energy performance.

On August 31, 2023, the European Commission adopted the Ecodesign Regulation (EU 2023/1670) and the Energy‑Labelling Regulation (EU 2023/1669) for mobile phones and tablets, which will become mandatory on June 20, 2025.

According to the regulations, every smartphone and tablet sold in the EU must include a new energy‑efficiency label inside the packaging and be registered in the European Product Database for Energy Labelling (EPREL) before it can be placed on the market.

The energy‑efficiency index (EEI) classifies devices into seven grades from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).

The EEI is calculated as follows: EEI is the energy‑efficiency index per kilowatt‑hour; Unom is the nominal voltage (V); Crated is the rated battery capacity in milliampere‑hours.

The EU label not only shows the EEI grade but also provides information on battery endurance, drop‑resistance level, repairability, battery cycle life, and waterproof/dust protection.

The label contains the following items: (I) QR code, (II) logo, (III) model, (IV) energy‑grade letters A‑G, (V) corresponding grade letter, (VI) battery endurance per cycle, (VII) free‑fall reliability level, (VIII) repairability level, (IX) number of battery cycles, (X) IP protection rating, (XI) regulation reference number.

The regulation applies to a range of devices, including cordless phones, smartphones with cellular or satellite connectivity, feature phones without internet capability, and tablets with screen sizes between 7 and 17.4 inches. Devices with foldable screens and products launched before June 20, 2025 are exempt.

Additional mandatory requirements include: batteries must retain at least 80% of their original capacity after 800 full charge‑discharge cycles; operating systems must receive security and OS updates for at least five years after the device is discontinued; manufacturers must allow professional repairers unrestricted access to necessary software and firmware, provide critical spare parts within 5‑10 business days, and continue supplying parts for seven years after sales end.

These strict durability, repairability, and update obligations aim to benefit consumers by extending device lifespans and reducing environmental impact, but they also imply higher design and after‑sales costs for manufacturers, which may ultimately be passed on to buyers.

Currently, the rules apply only to products sold in the EU, and it remains uncertain whether similar requirements will be adopted in other markets such as China.