The European Union dictates new rules on smartphones. A directive, the draft of which was presented by the European Commission, aims to make the EU a leader in sustainability policies by intervening on everyday smart devices such as mobile phones and tablets. The proposal aims to raise current environmental standards by incentivising energy efficiency and anchoring this objective to a circular economy model that extends the life of smartphones and tablets by replacing the concept of ‘disposable’ goods with one of conservation and regeneration.

TECHNOLOGICAL CIRCULARITY

Underlying the European plan is the quest for technological circularity, the aim of which is to offer consumers products that are easier to repair and preserve. At present, the operational ‘life’ of a smartphone and similar devices is about three years, at the end of which the product is thrown away. The European plan reverses this trend and aims at long-life products, incentivising manufacturers to invest in spare parts and retrofit components, such as batteries, internal memories, software and microchips. A move, says the European Commission, which on the one hand will protect consumers who will be free to choose whether to repair their old device or buy a new one, and on the other hand will increase environmental sustainability.

SPARE PARTS AND PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE

Protagonists of this green revolution will be the manufacturers of digital devices. They will have the task of guaranteeing spare parts for at least 15 components of smartphones and for a period of no less than five years from the date of placing on the market. In addition, the batteries will have to guarantee at least 500 full recharges without damage. According to analysts, these measures would save around 10 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to the emissions produced by around 5 million cars. In addition, smartphones will have to be equipped with an energy label, just as is already the case for many household appliances.

Manufacturers point out, however, that the burden of the new legal provisions will be placed on production by increasing costs. The possible consequence, experts explain, will be a rise in consumer prices: manufacturers will try to amortise the new costs by passing them on to consumers.

GREEN MANUFACTURERS

The concept of the ‘sustainable smartphone’ is now part of the production and business strategies of large technology companies. Clear examples are offered by companies such as Samsung and Apple, which for years have been investing in products and components from the circular economy of recycling, green packaging and low-consumption products. In addition, the giants of the sector are already adopting policies that extend the life cycle of their products by offering software update programmes or longer-lasting and easily reconditionable batteries. We are facing a series of actions aimed at increasing the sustainability of devices that, over time, should also lead to a reduction in the number of devices produced and marketed. The Commission’s proposal is part of a general framework of raising awareness of conscious consumption which, thanks also to the new rules, should encourage greater sustainability and energy and consumption policies aimed at reducing environmental impact.