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Mobile Phones: Batteries

Asked by James NaishLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 4 June 2026UIN 4509

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with smartphone and tablet manufacturers on the introduction of user-replaceable battery standards and the potential impact on consumer repair costs and device lifespan.

Answered by Mary Creagh

Defra is working with the Devolved Governments to review the UK’s producer responsibility legislation for batteries. As part of this review, a series of workshops were held with industry earlier this year to explore the potential impacts of regulatory consistency with the requirements of the EU Batteries Regulation in Great Britain, including in relation to user-replaceable battery standards. We intend to consult on proposals in the autumn.

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