Smartphones sit at the centre of modern life, yet their lifespan is often limited by design, battery degradation, and restricted repair access. As sustainability becomes a regulatory and commercial priority, two developments are beginning to converge: the Digital Battery Passport and the Right to Repair.
Individually, each addresses a different part of the problem. Together, they have the potential to reshape how smartphones are maintained, repaired, and kept in use for longer.
The Right to Repair Movement in Smartphones
The Right to Repair is gaining traction across global markets, with strong regulatory backing from the European Commission. New EU rules aim to make products easier to repair, extend their lifespan, and reduce electronic waste.
For smartphones, this shift focuses on improving access to spare parts, repair tools, and technical information. It also encourages manufacturers to design devices that can be maintained rather than replaced.
However, access alone does not guarantee effective repair. Without reliable data on battery condition and usage, technicians and users are often working with limited insight.
A Turning Point: EU Push for Repairable Smartphones
The European Union has taken a decisive step towards improving smartphone repairability. From 2027, all smartphones sold in the EU must feature batteries that are “readily removable and replaceable” by end users. This requirement forms part of a broader effort to reduce electronic waste and extend product lifespans.
Importantly, this does not mean a full return to older designs with snap-off back covers. Instead, the regulation allows for battery replacement using simple tools, provided they are either commonly available or supplied with the device. This reflects a balance between modern device design and practical repairability.
The scope of these rules extends beyond smartphones. Tablets, smart glasses and other portable electronics are also expected to comply, which signals a wider shift in how consumer devices are designed and maintained.
At the same time, global manufacturers are already adapting. Companies like Apple Inc. have introduced self-service repair programmes, offering tools and guidance for battery replacement. This reflects both regulatory pressure and growing consumer demand for repair-friendly products.
Why Batteries Sit at the Core of the Problem
Battery degradation remains the most common reason smartphones are replaced. Over time, capacity declines, charging becomes less reliable, and performance drops. For many users, replacing the device has often been easier than repairing it.
Even with improved physical access under new regulations, effective repair still depends on understanding battery condition. Without accurate data, technicians and users are left relying on limited diagnostics or assumptions.
The European Environmental Bureau has emphasised that improving battery transparency and replaceability is essential for reducing electronic waste in portable electronics.
This highlights a critical point. Physical access enables repair, but data determines whether that repair is meaningful.
Digital Battery Passports: Bringing Transparency into Smartphone Repair
The Digital Battery Passport, introduced under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, creates a structured digital record for batteries across their lifecycle. This includes information on origin, composition, performance, and usage history.
Although initially focused on larger batteries (particularly Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries, Light Means of Transport (LMT) batteries and large Industrial batteries with capacities above 2 kWh by 2027), the principles apply directly to smartphones. A Digital Battery Passport can provide detailed insights into battery health, usage patterns, and degradation trends.
This transforms repair from a reactive process into an informed decision. Technicians can assess whether a battery truly needs replacement before opening the device. Consumers can make better choices about repair versus replacement. Independent repair providers gain access to consistent and verified data.
Strengthening the Right to Repair Through Data Transparency
The Right to Repair focuses on enabling access. Digital Battery Passports strengthen it by making that access meaningful.
For smartphone repair, this alignment introduces several practical improvements. Technicians can assess battery health more accurately before opening a device. Consumers can make informed decisions about whether repair is worthwhile. Independent repair providers can operate with greater confidence and consistency.
More importantly, the passport reduces information asymmetry. Today, much of the detailed battery data remains within manufacturer-controlled systems. A standardised and accessible passport framework ensures that this information can be shared across the value chain in a controlled and secure way.
This directly supports the core objective of the Right to Repair, which is to create a more open and balanced repair ecosystem.
From Basic Repairs to Predictive Maintenance
Modern smartphones already generate significant operational data through battery management systems. When this data is structured within a Digital Battery Passport, it becomes a powerful tool for predictive maintenance.
Early signs of degradation can be identified before performance drops significantly. Timely battery replacement can be planned, avoiding sudden failures or unnecessary device replacements.
At the same time, data helps avoid unnecessary interventions by distinguishing between battery-related issues and other faults. This improves efficiency and reduces waste.
Implications for Circular Economy Goals
Extending smartphone lifespan is a key objective within the circular economy. Repairability, reuse, and efficient recycling all play a role.
Digital Battery Passports support each of these areas by maintaining accurate records of battery composition and usage. This improves end-of-life handling and supports material recovery processes.
The European Commission highlights that better product data is essential for achieving circular economy goals, particularly in high-volume electronics sectors.
Given the scale of smartphone usage globally, even modest improvements in repair and traceability can have a significant environmental impact.
Challenges in Integrating Digital Passports into Smartphones
Despite the clear potential, integrating Digital Battery Passports into smartphones is not without challenges.
Data standardisation is a key issue. Different manufacturers use different systems, which can limit interoperability. Ensuring consistent formats and definitions is essential for effective implementation.
Data access and privacy must also be carefully managed. Sensitive information needs to be protected while still enabling repair and verification.
Hardware design presents another layer of complexity. Even with removable battery requirements, integrating physical repairability with digital transparency requires coordination across the entire value chain.
Addressing these challenges will be essential for fully realising the benefits of combining battery passports with the Right to Repair.
How BASE Supports this Shift
At BASE, we recognise that sustainable smartphone ecosystems depend on both accessible hardware and reliable data. Our Digital Battery Passport framework is designed to support structured data capture, secure sharing, and interoperability across the battery lifecycle.
In the context of smartphones, this feature can be adapted to enable accurate diagnostics, informed repair decisions, and better lifecycle management. By linking battery identity with real-world usage data, BASE can help create a consistent and trustworthy information layer for repair ecosystems.
Looking Ahead
The alignment between the Right to Repair and Digital Battery Passports marks an important step towards more sustainable smartphone ecosystems.
With mandatory removable batteries by 2027 and increasing emphasis on transparency, the foundations for longer-lasting devices are being established. The next step lies in ensuring that these devices are supported by accessible and reliable data.
Manufacturers, regulators, and technology providers now have an opportunity to move beyond compliance and create systems that actively support repair, longevity, and user trust.
The BASE project has received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) Research and Innovation Actions under grant agreement No. 101157200.
References
EU Battery Regulation (Regulation EU 2023/1542)
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/oj
European Commission – New Rules for Batteries and Waste Batteries
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3315
European Commission – Circular Economy Action Plan
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/circular-economy_en
European Environmental Bureau – Coolproducts Report
https://eeb.org/en/library/coolproducts-report/
TechRadar – The EU requires phone makers to fit 'readily removable' batteries from next year—but there may be a notable exception: https://www.techradar.com/phones/the-eu-requires-phone-makers-to-fit-readily-removable-batteries-from-next-year-but-there-may-be-a-notable-exception