New EU energy label for smartphones and tablets from June 2025: What companies and consumers need to know now

Since when does the new EU requirement apply?

Since June 20, 2025, the following applies throughout Europe: All new smartphones and tablets (up to 17.4 inch screen diagonal) launched on the EU market must have an official EU energy label .

The legal basis for this is two central EU regulations:

• Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1669 – sets out the new labelling requirement

• Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2023/1670 – defines the associated minimum requirements for devices

Note: Devices released before June 20, 2025 , are not affected .

Objectives of the EU energy label for smartphones and tablets

The labeling requirement is part of the ambitious European strategy for greater sustainability in the electronics industry . The focus is on:

• Longer battery life and lower energy consumption

• Promoting repairability through standardized key performance indicators

• Transparency for consumers regarding durability, quality and environmental impact

• Reduction of electronic waste and promotion of the circular economy

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The goal is conscious, sustainable consumption – without greenwashing.

What does the EU energy label for smartphones say?

The label follows the logic of familiar energy labels for household appliances. It includes:

criterion	Labeling
Energy efficiency	Scale A (green) to G (red)
Battery life	in hours and minutes
Battery cycle life	≥ 800 cycles at ≥ 80% remaining capacity
Repairability	Scale A to E
Fall resistance	Scale A to E
IP protection	e.g. IP68 against dust & water
QR code	Direct link to the EU product database EPREL

This allows consumers to see at a glance how energy-efficient, durable and easy to maintain a device is.

What does the EU Ecodesign Regulation require?

Manufacturers and importers must now ensure that their devices:

• deliver robust batteries with at least 800 charging cycles and 80% capacity

• shock and water resistant according to standardized tests

• provide spare parts for at least 7 years – within 5–10 working days

• provide at least 5 years of security and system updates

• Provide repair professionals with free access to repair instructions, software and tools

  
  

These requirements are mandatory – violations can be punished with market bans or recalls.

Who is affected by the EU energy label for smartphones and tablets?

Consumers:

• benefit from more transparency and reliable purchasing decisions

• recognize differences between devices not only in price and performance , but also in sustainability

Manufacturers & Retailers:

• must make labels, technical data and EPREL links clearly visible in stationary retail and online shops

• are obliged to permanently comply with the legally required product characteristics

Repair services & workshops:

• receive non-discriminatory access to spare parts and diagnostic tools

• benefit from growing repair markets in the wake of the Right-to-Repair movement

Why is the EU energy label so important for the environment?

The EU expects strong positive effects by 2030:

• 14 TWh primary energy savings annually

• This corresponds to the electricity needs of over 4 million households

• €20 billion savings potential for EU consumers – around €98 per household per year

• Reduction of electronic waste , as long-lasting devices need to be replaced less quickly

• Introduction of a uniform repairability index across Europe – a milestone

Which devices are exempt from the EU energy label for smartphones and tablets?

The following product categories are (for the time being) not affected by the labelling requirement :

• Devices with flexible or rollable displays

• Specialized business smartphones with special security requirements

• Windows-based tablets , as they are officially considered computers

• Used equipment or stock items imported before 20 June 2025

Conclusion: The label is fundamentally changing the electronics market

With the new EU energy label for smartphones and tablets, the EU is setting clear standards for transparency, longevity and sustainability .

For consumers, it offers more decision-making security – for manufacturers and retailers, it is a clear wake-up call for innovation, improvement and communication .

Those who adapt to the new rules early on can even turn them into a competitive advantage – especially in times of growing regulatory requirements.