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From Energy Labels to Circular Trade-offs: Navigating EU Ecodesign Policies for Smartphones, Tablets, and Computers
EU Ecodesign and Energy Labelling requirements for smartphones and tablets entered into force in June 2025, setting a new bar for ecodesign of mobile devices, with comparable measures for computers being work-in-progress currently. This presentation distils the policies’ key elements and the evidence behind them, spotlighting circularity priorities, including reparability, durability, recyclability, and sustained software support.
The policy shift from energy focused rules to circularity focused requirements is linked to expected life cycle gains—longer use phases, improved repair and refurbishment, and higher end of life recovery—aimed at reducing environmental impacts holistically. EU and global market effects are assessed, including implications for design choices, spare part availability, service models, procurement, and secondary markets, alongside trade offs between circularity approaches.
A concise policy outlook flags what is on the horizon for computers and potentially other ICT products under the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), including potential data and transparency needs, evolving test methods, and linkages to right to repair and security frameworks.
The policy shift from energy focused rules to circularity focused requirements is linked to expected life cycle gains—longer use phases, improved repair and refurbishment, and higher end of life recovery—aimed at reducing environmental impacts holistically. EU and global market effects are assessed, including implications for design choices, spare part availability, service models, procurement, and secondary markets, alongside trade offs between circularity approaches.
A concise policy outlook flags what is on the horizon for computers and potentially other ICT products under the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), including potential data and transparency needs, evolving test methods, and linkages to right to repair and security frameworks.
