A Commission delegated regulation published by the Council on 17 July 2026 adds new product categories for which portable batteries need only be removable by independent professionals, not end-users, under the EU Batteries Regulation (2023/1542). The regulation aims to balance product safety, durability, and functionality with the general requirement for end-user battery removability intended to prevent premature obsolescence and improve waste battery collection.
The delegated regulation, dated 14 July 2026, supplements the Batteries Regulation by listing specific products where safety, durability, or functionality would be compromised by end-user access. Wearable devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers are added to the existing derogation for wet appliances, provided safety, durability, or water resistance would be compromised by user access. Devices too small for safe end-user battery handling or relying on a compact sealed enclosure are also exempted. Electric toys with rechargeable batteries receive a temporary exemption until 31 July 2030, if necessary for toy safety. Wireless thermometer probes for food contact are exempted due to safety risks from battery removal. Products for potentially explosive atmospheres under the ATEX Directive are exempted to avoid safety violations. On-body delivery systems for subcutaneous medication are exempted to prevent improper functioning and safety risks. Telematics devices for roof-mounted installation in agricultural and construction machinery are exempted due to harsh operating conditions. All derogations apply only when necessary to ensure user and appliance safety.
The regulation enhances legal certainty for manufacturers of wearable devices and other specialized products, reducing the need to redesign products to allow end-user battery access. However, it may reduce end-user ability to replace batteries, potentially increasing reliance on professional repair services and affecting waste battery collection rates for exempted products, as end-users cannot easily remove batteries. The regulation aligns with existing sector-specific rules such as toy safety and ATEX directives to avoid conflicting requirements, and provides a temporary transition for electric toys until stricter EU rules apply in 2030.
Stakeholders most impacted include manufacturers of wearable devices and electric toys, who gain regulatory clarity and reduced compliance costs. Professional repair services may see increased demand for battery replacements in exempted products. End-users of exempted devices lose the ability to replace batteries themselves, potentially increasing repair costs. Waste battery collection systems may face lower collection rates for exempted product categories, as batteries remain embedded in devices. The regulation enters into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.