The European Union dropped a new regulation on batteries and waste batteries.
In a press release, EU stated that "by 2027 portable batteries incorporated into appliances should be removable and replaceable by the end-user, leaving sufficient time for operators to adapt the design of their products to this requirement."
According to EU, the new rules is targeting to improve the functioning of internal market for batteries and ensure fairer competition with safety, sustainability, and proper labelling.
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Handheld Consoles To Put User-Replaceable Batteries
Future versions of handheld consoles like Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and ASUS ROG Ally will have to adapt with the policy or they might face production and distribution problem within the EU countries.
EU decided with the move in order to reduce environmental and social impacts within the life cycle of the battery.
The regulation will only provide exemption for SMEs from the due diligence rules.
The Future of Handheld Consoles in EU
An EU representative confirmed that the batteries from the gaming handhelds are included in the new batteries regulation.
"A portable battery shall be considered readily removable by the end-user where it can be removed from a product with the use of commercially available tools, without requiring the use of specialized tools, unless provided free of charge with the product," EU explained.
Hence, users can expect that the succeeding gaming consoles will have removal instructions and safety information that will assist users in replacing old batteries.
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