Apple Devices in Europe to Feature Repair Scores and Battery Life Labels for Better Consumer Awareness

Starting June 20, 2025, Apple buyers in Europe will notice significant changes with the introduction of repair scores, battery ratings, and energy labels for every new iPhone and iPad. The European Union’s new regulation will require all smartphones and tablets to meet rigorous sustainability standards while displaying detailed energy labels at retail points. These labels will provide important scores on battery life, durability, and repairability, aiming to enhance consumer awareness and encourage informed purchasing decisions. This regulation is part of the EU’s Green Deal, which aims to reduce waste, prolong product lifespans, and promote sustainable practices.

Many requirements align with Apple’s current practices; for instance, most iPhones receive software updates for more than five years, and the company offers official repair services and a self-service repair program. However, the regulation introduces new testing requirements for battery performance, stipulating that batteries must maintain at least 80% of their original capacity after 800 full charging cycles. Additionally, the regulation mandates that manufacturers provide key spare parts for seven years after the last unit of a model is sold in the EU, extending beyond Apple’s usual five to seven-year support window. The new energy labels will feature standardized metrics, including energy efficiency class, battery life per charge, battery longevity in charge cycles, repairability scores, drop resistance ratings, and ingress protection scores against dust and water.

A QR code on each label will allow consumers to access the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling, facilitating comparisons between models. Financially, the EU anticipates significant benefits from these regulations, estimating a reduction in primary energy use by 8.1 terawatt-hours annually by 2030, leading to potential cost savings of 20 billion euros for European households. For Apple, these regulations may require a reevaluation of their sustainability initiatives, expanding their focus on spare parts availability, OS update timelines, and design elements that affect repairability.