The European Union passed a law in 2023 mandating replaceable batteries in portable electronic devices starting February 2027. This regulation applies to Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 console and Joy-Cons. A Nikkei report indicates Nintendo plans to adjust the console's design for compliance.
In 2023, the European Union enacted legislation to combat planned obsolescence in electronics. Effective from February 2027, the rule requires portable devices sold in the EU to feature easily replaceable batteries by consumers. The process must be straightforward, without software restrictions interfering with battery swaps. This measure excludes mobile phones and tablets but impacts hybrid consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 and its Joy-Cons, where batteries often degrade from repeated charging cycles or improper use without full depletion beforehand. The Right to Repair movement, active in Europe for the past five years, underpins this development, promoting user-friendly maintenance options such as carrying spare batteries or using third-party upgrades, reminiscent of practices with older devices like the Nintendo DS or early mobile phones. A report from Japanese outlet Nikkei, translated and shared via Nintendo Everything, states that Nintendo intends to modify the Switch 2's specifications accordingly. It quotes: “the company will modify the console’s specifications to allow consumers to easily replace the battery.” While the law targets the EU market, Nikkei suggests similar changes could emerge in Japan and the United States if consumer demand for repair rights grows. Manufacturing a single compliant model globally might prove cost-effective for Nintendo.