EU directive aims to make all batteries removable, even THAT battery

The European Union already initiated a Battery Directive in 2006 that aimed to make it easier to dispose of and recycle old batteries, but it looks like it's now taking things one big step further with its "New Battery Directive," which proposes that batteries in all electronic devices should be able to be "readily removed" for replacement or disposal. New Electronics' Gary Nevison further adds that "the requirement is clearly intended to ensure that users can remove batteries by opening a cover by hand or after removal of one or two screws," which would obviously pose a bit of a problem for the iPhone, not to mention every iPod and even a few non-Apple devices. Then again, this wouldn't be the first time that Apple has tangled with the EU, and we have a sneaking suspicion that it won't be the last.

[Ron @ Oct 7th 2008 1:04PM]

Actually the iPhone 3G has 2 screws on the bottom. Once those are removed you can pull it apart (not as easy as it sounds though).

[Bobby @ Oct 7th 2008 1:53PM]

apparently Euros can't find proper screwdriver

[PM1 @ Oct 7th 2008 6:33PM]

@ Bobby

Hey now, speak proper American!

[E71 @ Oct 8th 2008 2:28AM]

Oh look, those whiney folks in the EU opened their traps again.

[AlexNC @ Oct 7th 2008 3:06PM]

I am usually against government getting into stuff like this, but I think this is a great place for a law to be added. Not only will it extend the life of products, it will also cut down on electronics in landfills and also allow for cheaper battery solutions for the not so tech savy consumers.

[who? @ Oct 7th 2008 1:27PM]

It's actually a bad idea to make Apple do that, because right now you have to send in your iPhone for a battery replacement, and Apple recycles the old one. This way, stupid people over there that replace their iPhone/iPod battery every year are going to be adding even MORE to the landfills!

They should just add a clause stating that when the company is already taking the initiative to replace the battery in an environmentally sound manner, they can design their products however they want.

[Bender Bending Rodriguez @ Oct 7th 2008 1:31PM]

This will lead to more batteries in landfills, not less. The average person isn't going to change out their batter just tote it to a battery recycle bin. They will simply toss it in the trash.

On the other extreme of this argument, if it was required to make batteries non-user replaceable and required any place that would change your battery to abide by strict guidelines for disposal you would see a lot more batteries being properly disposed of. But that isn't a viable option for many, many reasons.

This won't pass as is and Apple will continue to make thinner, more durable electronics without easily breakable battery hatch.

[JR @ Oct 7th 2008 1:36PM]

"Who?"

You do have at least a limited point there... most people shouldn't be trusted with hazardous substances, but it's not that simple. You could argue that the shipping back and forth for what could be made a simple replacement isn't environmentally responsible. Perhaps a core charge could be required when purchasing an new lithium battery, so that the dead battery would need to be returned to the retailer for a deposit refund.

[Surur @ Oct 7th 2008 1:48PM]

Regarding people who say this will increase batteries in landfill, due to people tossing their old battery. In Europe garbage is being increasingly policed, so you cant easily throw away what you want. I am talking about people going through your trash regularly and refusing to take your garbage away if they don't like what they see, or even fine you.

http://deathby1000papercuts.com/2008/09/uk-garbage-nannies-garbage-collection-snooping-rules-torture-brits/

[Mikey @ Oct 7th 2008 2:00PM]

@ Who?

Do you think the people who are too thick to not recycle their old batteries are going to know about Apple's battery replacement policy? Some of the really stupid ones are just going to throw away the entire iPod once the thing can't hold a charge anymore.

[bug-eyed monster @ Oct 7th 2008 2:04PM]

"It's actually a bad idea to make Apple do that..."

Unlike what the Engadget editors might think, this is not directed towards Apple specifically. It's yet another directive by the EU to lessen our impact on the environment. Europe is also trying to make it easier to recycle batteries, you simply drop them off at any retailer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_Directive

"right now you have to send in your iPhone for a battery replacement, and Apple recycles the old one."

If the iPhone battery were removable by the user, they could remove the old battery and send it to Apple in exchange for a new battery. Same thing but less stuff to ship, less packaging, better for the environment. Sure, this'll never work in US because they're all for consumerism at the expense of everything else in the world, but it'll work fine in other Western countries cause they have a different value system.

[who? @ Oct 7th 2008 2:49PM]

@Mikey

Most people sell their iPod/iPhone when they no longer want it, not throw the entire thing away!!!


The only people who are rich or stupid enough to throw it away wouldn't have taken the initiative to replace and recycle the battery anyway, so this doesn't really affect them, does it?

[who? @ Oct 7th 2008 2:53PM]

@bug-eyed monster

You can't assume that everyone in the EU would pay the extra money to recycle hazardous material properly, and your stereotypical behavior is not appreciated.

[AlexNC @ Oct 7th 2008 3:09PM]

I don't' think you understand the typical consumer. If it costs $100 to replace a battery on a 3 year old $150 device, the consumer will alway decide to buy a new one (with better features) and shelf their old one. They won't sell it on eBay, because what they can sell it for is not worth the trouble and shipping costs. So, it will sit on a shelf for another 2 years until it is worth nothing, then get thrown into the trash/landfills. In theory your argument sounds valid, but just by looking at my family and friends habbits, I can say that designs/programs such as Apples sealed electronics do not help promote recycling of batteries. It only hampers the longevity of their products, which is their ultimate goal allowing them a quicker return on future sales.

[who? @ Oct 7th 2008 5:53PM]

@AlexNC
"I don't' think you understand the typical consumer. If it costs $100 to replace a battery on a 3 year old $150 device"

I don't think you understand... anything.

Apple offers a battery replacement for $49 (iPod shuffle), $59 (iPod nano and classic), $79 (iPod touch) plus $6.95 shipping- http://www.apple.com/batteries/replacements.html

[NHAnimator @ Oct 7th 2008 1:09PM]

One way or the other, someone's getting screwed over this.

[Le Big Mac @ Oct 7th 2008 1:09PM]

Why couldn't apple fully meet the purpose of this policy by agreeing to take back all unwanted/dead ipods or replacing batteries? It seems sort of goofy--this is an environmental policy. Replacement of batteries by Apple will lead to *more* responsible disposal than user replacement. And if people are tossing the entire ipod in the trash, do waht apple does by offering credit towards the purchase of a new one.

[Christian G. @ Oct 7th 2008 1:39PM]

And why not both? It's cheaper for the customer and the customer doesn't have to part with his iThingy or waste time at the Apple store.

But it's true that we can't blame much the customers, since most Apple fans will buy a new version as soon as it gets out and their old iThingy version battery won't have time to be dead.

[cristiana @ Oct 7th 2008 1:44PM]

Apple already does that (http://www.apple.com/environment/recycling/)

[m @ Oct 7th 2008 4:59PM]

what's wrong with this being an environmental concern?!? of course it is! batteries are TOXIC. i don't about you, but i for one don't want those chemicals in my drinking water. as for apple taking ipods back, it's not compulsory, and most people are too lazy to bother. it's far from easy. people already throw freaking refrigerators into the trash, and it's where most ipods are going to end up, too. replaceable batteries at least diminish the chance of the battery going into the ground with them.

[Fred @ Oct 7th 2008 1:10PM]

Although I cringe at almost anything the EU feels the need to mandate, it really is a good idea. I mean they're almost always make some kind of leap in battery capacity and life-span. Shame we can't easily take advantage as iPhone users.

[az_runner @ Oct 7th 2008 4:15PM]

This is a terrible idea. Okay, so the iPhone, iPod, and Macbook Air are one thing, but think about what affect this directive would have on other non-Apple devices. This is a BIG deal.

Take bluetooth headsets for instance. If bluetooth headset manufacturers are forced to make their headset so that you can easily open and replace the battery, the size of those devices will easily double. Given the way manufacturers work nowadays anything they design is designed to meet the regulations for all the major regions around the world. That means, headsets in America or Asia or South America (etc.) will be affected by another stupid European law.

Much like the stupid european law that's in place that's limited audio volume (maybe that's just a french law).

[tekdroid @ Oct 7th 2008 6:40PM]

Agreed, it is a great idea.

az_runner,
bluetooth headset size doubling? I beg to differ. A slide-off piece of plastic allowing access to an internal battery will double the headset size?

It is pure irresponsibility. Creation of disposable devices and customer ignorance about rechargeable batteries (and their charge lifetime) that has made them get away with this for so long. I, for one, would never buy a device without easily removable batteries (ie. devices requiring surgery for replacement).

This includes Bluetooth headsets, almost every non-phone Walkman, iPods, etc. Devices designed for disposal never make me bust out the wallet, nor give me the flexibility to carry a spare battery with me. Impractical junk.

[Steve Childs @ Oct 8th 2008 4:14AM]

Normally when the EU pushes out some new legislation everyone groans and mutters something unpostable under their breath.

However, I think this could be the first really good bit of legislation that has come out of the EU for some time.

Certainly all devices like phones, MP3 players, laptops should have easily replaceable batteries and it only seems to be Apple who screw their customers over by not having easily replaceable batteries, instead they insist that people sent the device off to be fixed.

So, I for one am in favour of this legislation, in fact get it in place ASAP so Apple are forced to withdraw their products, that would be funny.

Unlikely, but it would serve them right.

[fanman @ Oct 7th 2008 1:11PM]

Three chears for socialism.

[Le Big Mac @ Oct 7th 2008 1:18PM]

The funny thing is, this doesn't even seem to be a competition issue--you know, make it cheaper to replace batteries or allow 3d party batteries. It's solely about environmentalism. And it seems pretty misguided as I suggest above.

[linumax @ Oct 7th 2008 1:19PM]

If by socialism you mean protecting consumers against greedy (fruity) corporations, then yes, cheers to that!

[Argot @ Oct 7th 2008 1:29PM]

Or for the guys in the USA - 700 billion cheers for socialism!

[JR @ Oct 7th 2008 1:36PM]

I think the term you're looking for is "regulation".

Socialism... you might want to look that up.

[toxicpiano @ Oct 7th 2008 1:38PM]

Ignorance at it's finest.

[Argot @ Oct 7th 2008 2:02PM]

@Balls:

Or if Apple don't wanna conform to the rules and regulations within the EU they can just stop selling their products over here.

[KarlW @ Oct 7th 2008 3:23PM]

This is probably an environmental issue. Easier access to batteries will hopefully mean more people taking the opportunity to have their old ones disposed of properly. Everybody knows global warming is a huge threat, and everybody agrees action needs to be taken. This is an (admittedly small) part of that action.

Just because the current US Government is pig-headed and defiant in the face of facts, doesn't mean the rest of the world has to be. I'm sure the Danish are happy with 20% of their electricity being provided by wind.

[tekdroid @ Oct 7th 2008 6:46PM]

Balls @ Oct 7th 2008 1:53PM
We're not talking about devices that are harmful here.
--------
Do you know what goes into a battery and the effect that has on the environment when disposed improperly?

[jakem @ Oct 7th 2008 1:12PM]

I don't care if they bring this directive in or not but I didn't realise there was a problem with non-removable batteries. With the exception of Apple's products, every other battery powered device out there has a removable battery.

[JR @ Oct 7th 2008 1:20PM]

Every other battery powered device? That's not even close to being true. Take the Zune, for instance. I'm pretty sure that's even harder to replace, since on some models the wires are soldered to the logic board, instead of having a clip or plug.

[DefPo3t @ Oct 7th 2008 1:17PM]

My zune begs to differ my dear sir

[mex1cola @ Oct 8th 2008 8:31AM]

Also the Zune isnt for sale over here in the EU.

[bangladeshiluv @ Oct 7th 2008 1:12PM]

nice. it pissed me off how you buy a $100 Sonicare toothbrush only to find that you have to toss it out after 2yrs of use because the battery isn't serviceable.

[Prince Ali @ Oct 7th 2008 2:34PM]

You kind of deserve it if you actually think a sonicare toothbrush is substantially better then a 1.99 generic toothbrush.

[bangladeshiluv @ Oct 7th 2008 2:58PM]

yeah. im the idiot for being suckered into the sonic toothbrush craze. i admit it. never again.

[kal326 @ Oct 7th 2008 1:14PM]

Funny that legislation would really need to be enacted to make sure that users could replace a battery in a device. Seems like a no brainer unless you're an organization that loves forced obsolescence. I'm sure women of the world are very happy that Apple makes the most popular PMPs in the world and not vibrators.....

[Balazs @ Oct 7th 2008 1:17PM]

This is great, however it is only a directive and it isn't the law. This does mean that Apple doesn't necessarily have to abide, as in there are no penalties for not conforming to the directive's specifications. That's not to say it's not a bad move, I certainly welcome it.

[eurobloke @ Oct 7th 2008 2:37PM]

No, in Europe, a directive is a demand by the European Union which will later codify into national law, e.g. the Units of Measure Directive into the Weights & Measures Act 1995 (and 2000).

[meist3r @ Oct 7th 2008 1:17PM]

How about some proper battery/charger standard for mobile devices while we're at it? I can't believe we still have a battery from each manufacturer and a charger that is useless for any other device even though the battery might be similar. It's ridiculous. Making the battery replaceable by law is a no-brainer why would you NOT want to replace the battery?.

[GON @ Oct 7th 2008 1:19PM]

C'mon let us all give these guys a round of applause.

[bangladeshiluv @ Oct 7th 2008 2:14PM]

applesauce for everyone!

[Grey Acumen @ Oct 7th 2008 1:20PM]

It's a great idea, it's convenient for those of us who have actually clamored for this, but I can tell you know, it's not really going to do that much. Heck, I got a used DS phat just a couple months back that was being sold as "broken" because it wouldn't turn on. I figured; "what the hey, let me pop in the battery from another DS I have lying around and see what happens." I popped in the battery and it worked fine.

The DS only needs one screw to replace the battery, but they still were pretty much junking it.

Then again, maybe putting this directive out will help raise consumer awareness to replacing batteries. It's certainly going to be better than the government's usual thing of requiring some inane safety warning for the mentally deficient like "do not place bag over head" and "iphone not intended for internal use"

[Barbara @ Oct 7th 2008 1:25PM]

I tried that with my nieces DS nd didn't work.. but yeah it was an easy test, as long as you have another DS

[Bob @ Oct 9th 2008 2:59AM]

I see your avatar and I call you gay.

[brian @ Oct 7th 2008 1:33PM]

uhh my sonicare came with instructions for battery replacement.....