It had been in the works for a while, but now it has formally been adopted. From the article:
The regulation provides that by 2027 portable batteries incorporated into appliances should be removable and replaceable by the end-user, leaving sufficient time for operators to adapt the design of their products to this requirement.
I’ve seen a few comments about Bluetooth headphones and TWS earbuds but I don’t think it’s really too much of an issue. For over ear style headphones Steel Series have already proved the concept as they have a headset that has hot swappable rechargeable batteries. No reason other manufacturers can’t design a fitted one that could be replaced.
As for TWS buds, so many of these must already be in landfill when the tiny batteries give out. We’ve already got rechargeable batteries for hearing aids that can be replaced by the user. I’m sure something similar could be achieved for TWS buds.
The Fairbuds XL have replaceable everything and they’re sustainably produced and designed to be repaired. Probably going to be my next pair.
https://shop.fairphone.com/fairbuds-xl
Thank you for pointing those out, I had no idea fairphone had expanded into headphones!
They’re now on my radar for my next pair, but I’m going to run my current headphones for as long as possible before making a new purchase (5 years with my wireless in-ear buds and still going strong!)
Nice, good to see it starting to happen.
Too much of an issue? Definitely not. I’ve got a pair of very high quality earphones, now lasts for 15 minutes and it pains me to not be able to use it properly or be able to change the battery.
I mean it shouldn’t be too much of an issue for manufacturers to make the change to these products to allow for replacement batteries. These devices being useless after only the battery failing is definitely an issue.
What you’ve described should be avoidable.
If they are in ears/over ears you could have a look online for teardowns. Some headphones can have the battery replaced it’s just not “official” and would invalidate any warranty but it looks like you’ve maybe not got too much to use.