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EU Mandates EPREL Labels on Electronic Devices From June to Display Battery Life and Key Specifications

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Starting June 2025, electronic devices sold within the European Union—including smartphones, tablets, and certain cordless phones—will be required to include a new EPREL (European Product Registry for Energy Labelling) sticker. This move is part of the EU’s broader Energy Labelling Regulation, officially adopted by the European Parliament on April 16, 2024. The new rule aims to empower consumers with clearer, standardized information about a device’s energy efficiency, battery life, and durability. By doing so, the regulation promotes more sustainable purchasing decisions and encourages manufacturers to prioritize long-term performance.

The EPREL sticker, also known as the ENERGY label, must be included inside the packaging of all newly marketed devices beginning June 20, 2025. This label will display key performance metrics, such as battery endurance, energy class, water and dust resistance, and drop protection. It will also include a repairability score to inform users how easy the device is to fix—an effort to reduce e-waste by extending product lifespans. Notably, the label must be updated if any specification changes occur, such as through software or firmware updates that affect power or performance.

The regulation covers a wide range of devices: smartphones with cellular or satellite capabilities, feature phones without internet access or third-party apps, tablets with screen sizes between 7 inches and 17.4 inches, and even cordless landline phones. However, mobile phones and tablets that feature a flexible primary display—like foldable phones—are exempt from the requirement. This selective application highlights the EU’s intent to focus on mainstream consumer electronics that have high turnover rates and energy consumption.

According to the European Commission, this regulation is designed to support informed decision-making and encourage consumers to consider sustainability factors alongside technical specifications when choosing electronic products. It places added responsibility on original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), who must ensure the EPREL label remains accurate throughout the product’s lifecycle. If changes like operating system updates significantly alter a device’s energy profile, companies will be required to retest the device and revise the label accordingly. This push toward transparency is a notable step in the EU’s larger sustainability agenda, aligning with its goals to reduce environmental impact and promote a circular economy.

Apple Leads Smartphone Sales in First Quarter, New Data Reveals

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Apple secured the top position in global smartphone sales for the first quarter, powered by the successful launch of the iPhone 16e and growing demand in markets like Japan and India, according to data released by Counterpoint Research on Monday. The company captured 19 percent of the smartphone market, maintaining its lead even as sales in key regions such as the United States, Europe, and China remained flat or declined.

Trailing closely behind, Samsung held an 18 percent share of the global market. Meanwhile, the International Data Corporation (IDC) reported that worldwide smartphone shipments edged up by 1.5 percent in the first quarter. Apple, anticipating potential tariff impacts from US President Donald Trump’s trade policies, had accelerated shipments to the US by organizing chartered cargo flights to ferry up to 1.5 million iPhones from India.

The turbulence in global trade, fueled by Trump’s shifting tariff decisions, has rattled financial markets over the past two weeks, raising fears of a slowing economy and rising inflation. In response to looming tariffs, companies like Apple took swift action to safeguard their supply chains and product availability, a strategy that appeared to pay off during the volatile period.

However, some relief came when Trump announced exemptions for smartphones, computers, and several other electronics from the tariffs on Chinese imports. This move triggered a rally in global tech stocks on Monday. Still, experts, including IDC’s Ryan Reith, cautioned that despite this temporary reprieve, US companies remain heavily dependent on China’s supply chain, leaving them vulnerable to future policy shifts and market disruptions.

Apple and Nvidia Receive Exemptions from US Tariffs, Easing Trade Pressure

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The Trump administration has granted a significant exemption from its reciprocal tariffs, which provides relief for major global tech manufacturers, including Apple and Nvidia. These exemptions, announced by US Customs and Border Protection, apply to a range of consumer electronics such as smartphones, laptops, hard drives, and memory chips. This move effectively narrows the scope of the tariffs, which had originally included a hefty 125 percent tariff on products from China, as well as a 10 percent baseline tariff on products from other countries. For tech companies and consumers alike, this offers a welcome reprieve, even though the exemptions may only be temporary.

The newly announced exclusions are a major win for the technology sector, especially considering that many of these devices are not manufactured domestically in the US. With products like iPhones, computers, and other essential electronics not being produced within the country, the tariffs had threatened to drive up prices for consumers. The decision to exempt these items comes at a crucial time when many had feared price hikes due to the escalating trade tensions. The exemption also provides some breathing room for companies like Apple and Nvidia, which have made significant financial commitments to the US in the past few months, further solidifying their importance in the tech landscape.

For consumers, the news is likely to ease concerns over rising prices. In anticipation of higher costs, many had already begun purchasing electronics in a rush, particularly iPhones and laptops. The exemption will likely prevent those fears from becoming a reality, stabilizing prices for these popular consumer products. However, the broader impact of the tariffs and trade war on global markets continues to reverberate, contributing to market volatility and uncertainty.

The exemption represents a notable softening in the US’s approach to the trade conflict with China. Although it doesn’t mark a full resolution of the trade war, it is a sign of potential thawing relations between the two economic powers. Backdated to April 5, this exemption covers an estimated $390 billion in US imports, including over $101 billion from China. This move offers a glimpse into the shifting dynamics of international trade and its effect on global markets, particularly the tech industry, which remains at the center of the ongoing geopolitical tensions.