EU Exempts Smartwatches, Smart Glasses, and Earbuds from Replaceable Battery Requirement

The European Commission has formally exempted wearable devices from the EU's upcoming user-replaceable battery requirement. The delegated act, adopted on July 14, 2026, means smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart glasses, and wireless earbuds will not need user-swappable batteries when the rule takes effect in February 2027.

What Devices Are Exempt

The Commission specifically lists "smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart glasses or other electronic devices integrated into clothing and other accessories" as exempt categories. This covers virtually every wearable product currently on the market — from the Apple Watch and Galaxy Watch to Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses and AirPods.

Why the Exemption

The Commission cited three primary reasons:

• Safety concerns: Devices too small for safe user battery replacement
• Water resistance: Sealed enclosures required for IP68/IP69K ratings would be compromised
• Durability: Compact, sealed designs are essential for wearable form factors

The exemption also came after the US ambassador to the EU publicly criticized the battery rules, which reportedly delayed the European rollout of Meta's smart glasses.

Important Limitation

While users won't need to replace batteries themselves, wearable batteries must still be replaceable by an independent professional — not just the manufacturer. This means third-party repair shops must be able to service wearable batteries, even if consumers cannot.

What This Means for Buyers

For consumers, this changes nothing about how current wearables work — your Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Oura Ring will continue to be sealed devices serviced by authorized repair centers. The practical impact is that future wearables won't need to be redesigned with bulkier, user-accessible battery compartments — preserving the slim, water-resistant designs buyers expect. For the broader market, the exemption removes a regulatory uncertainty that had slowed some product launches in Europe, including Meta's smart glasses rollout. Browse our smartwatch guide and smart glasses guide for the latest options.