The European Commission exempts smartglasses from requirement on removability of portable batteries!

The European Commission adopted a delegated act today (14 July) introducing new rules that exempt additional products from EU requirements on the removability and replaceability of portable batteries.

Under the EU’s Batteries Regulation, portable batteries in products sold in the EU must generally be removable and replaceable by consumers. This helps extend products’ lifetime by allowing battery replacements and supports recycling by making it easier to collect used batteries.

However, some products, such as medical devices and so-called “wet appliances” (for example, electric toothbrushes or water flossers), are already exempt from this requirement, mainly for safety reasons. In these cases, batteries only need to be removable and replaceable by independent professionals.

The Commission is now adding six new product categories to the existing list of exemptions.«

It is necessary to include certain wearable devices into the scope of derogation already given to wet appliances to provide legal certainty. Wearables are portable electronic devices that are worn on the body and often have sensors and connectivity to collect and transmit data. Their use has increased significantly since Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 was adopted. Examples of wearables include smartwatches, fitness trackers, or other electronic devices integrated into clothing and other accessories.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 14.7.2026