The European Commission, offering big relief to major tech giants, has now added six new product categories to the existing list of devices that are exempted from the EU Batteries Regulation 2023/1542. The rule no longer requires wearables, like smartwatches, fitness trackers, electric toys, and other devices within the scope of the ATEX Directive for “equipment used in explosive atmospheres such as explosion-proof motors, sensors, pumps, or forklift trucks”. This means that OEMs, like Apple and Samsung, do not have to launch new models of the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch with user-replaceable batteries.
