For a while now, the environmental effects of technology like smartphones and tablets have been making news. Regulators at the European Commission now recommend that smartphones and tablets sold there come with spare parts for at least five years. EU anticipates that this will lessen the environmental impact of new technology.
Spare Parts for Five Years Are Wanted by EU Regulators The phrase "ecodesign standards for mobile phones, cordless phones, and slate tablets" appears in a recent EU draught regulation. According to the article, most phones and tablets are replaced before they are fully utilised or recycled by consumers. It would make more of an impact to increase the lifespan of smartphones and tablets to five years as opposed to two to three.
According to research from the EU, using smartphones for an additional five years might be equivalent to removing five million cars from the road. In order to provide competent repairers, the EU expects manufacturers of smartphones and tablets to import at least 15 different types of replacement parts for their products. Even after a phone is taken off the market, the legislation recommends that they remain accessible for five years. Displays, charging ports, mechanical volume and power buttons, batteries, microphones, speakers, hinge assemblies for folding phones, and other components are just a few of the spare parts that the EU draught suggests.
Impact of Smartphones on the Environment One of the primary causes for individuals to change phones after two or three years is the battery. EU now seeks OEMs to either make replacement batteries or design batteries that would run longer. This means offering 83 percent of its rated capacity even after 500 full charging cycles and 80 percent charge even after 1,000 full charging cycles.
