The European Union has been pushing tech companies to be more transparent with consumers – and the latest requirement is a welcome step in that direction.
Starting June 20, 2025, all smartphones and tablets sold in the EU will feature a new label inside the box, indicating battery life and efficiency. This is an update to the energy sticker Europeans are already familiar with on household appliances, tailored to align with the type of information consumers now expect from their electronic devices.
Which products fall under the new requirements?
The regulation applies to cordless phones (used for landlines), smartphones for cellular or satellite networks, feature phones without internet or third-party apps, and tablets with screens between 7 and 17.4 inches. Only devices in these categories that are placed on the market from June 20, 2025, onward.
Devices with flexible main displays that can be unrolled, either partially or fully, are exempt from this requirement. Phones and tablets that are already on the EU market before June 20 are also excluded.
What are the exact requirements?
All devices mentioned above must meet five key ecodesign criteria:
- Durability: Devices should be resistant to accidental drops and protected against dust and water.
- Battery longevity: Batteries must endure at least 800 full charge and discharge cycles while retaining at least 80% of their original capacity.
- Repairability: Manufacturers must make critical spare parts available within 5 to 10 working days, and continue offering them for 7 years after the product is no longer sold in the EU.
- Software support: Devices must receive operating system upgrades for at least 5 years from the end-of-sale date.
- Repair access: Professional repairers must have non-discriminatory access to any required software or firmware.
What does the sticker look like?
The European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) sticker, commonly known as the ENERGY label, will display seven key pieces of information. We’ve already seen a sample sticker on a phone intended for the European market, confirming that the system is indeed rolling out.
Who ensures this data is accurate?
All suppliers – manufacturers, importers, or authorized representatives – operating in the EU/EEA market must register their product models through a dedicated EPREL platform managed by the European Commission.
While manufacturers are responsible for providing accurate data, the Commission will verify information related to ingress protection, repairability, and battery performance.
A real-life sticker; the device info is hidden by us
We spoke with representatives from the European Commission, who shared that their vision for device testing aligns closely with the work we’ve been doing at GSMArena.com for over 15 years.
In late 2023, we introduced an updated set of tests and began collaborating with the French automation company SmartViser. That same company now offers testing solutions to manufacturers, which strongly indicates that the methodology we helped develop will empower millions of consumers across Europe to make better-informed purchasing decisions.
What does this mean for the end consumer?
The Ecodesign label is part of a wider EU campaign aimed at improving energy efficiency by 2030. The initiative is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 46 million tonnes and save each household an average of €150, on top of the savings already achieved through existing ecodesign measures.
While these rules officially apply only within the EU, their impact could stretch far beyond the 27 member states. We’re already seeing smartphone manufacturers extend software update support globally, while devices are becoming more durable and easier to repair, benefiting consumers everywhere.
In the future, we may see manufacturers streamline production and choose to meet EU requirements globally, rather than develop separate versions for different markets.
