**Apple’s Latest Energy Labels: Adherence to EU Standards**
For those residing in the European Union and visiting Apple’s website today, you’ll see a new piece of information alongside iPhones and iPads: vibrant energy labels that rate each model’s efficiency, longevity, and repairability. This update is not optional; it reflects Apple’s adherence to a new EU regulation that has recently come into force.
The labels designate a grade ranging from A to G for energy efficiency and durability metrics, such as impact resistance and repairability. However, Apple has raised concerns about the clarity of the regulation.
### Insights on the Fresh EU Regulations
With today’s updates, Apple released a 44-page technical document outlining its labeling approach, citing the regulation’s ambiguity. The document states:
> “The EU’s recent Energy Labelling regulation for smartphones and tablets sets forth several interim testing methods that contain vague language. Consequently, some metrics on the energy label are shaped by the decisions made by manufacturers and test laboratories interpreting the regulation. This document aims to clarify Apple’s selected testing methodology and the resultant scores, which were, in some instances, voluntarily adjusted lower to reflect potential differences in interpretation. We are eager to collaborate with other stakeholders to resolve test method ambiguities moving forward.”
Apple is not completely content with how certain grades are determined. The company asserts that its current iPhone models would meet the highest “A” grade on the energy efficiency index. Nonetheless, it has voluntarily adjusted its own rating down to a “B,” which it describes as being cautious. The worry is that independent laboratories might interpret the EU’s testing protocols differently, which could lead to a lower public score.
This cautious downgrade strategy also extends to iPhone drop resistance ratings. Apple contends that the EU’s standardized drop tests might not truly reflect real-life durability, as they rely on various factors, such as the kind of wood and steel employed for impact surfaces.
### What the Labels Indicate and Where to Locate Them
The energy labels encompass six primary categories:
– Energy efficiency per charge
– Battery longevity (number of complete charge cycles)
– Repairability
– Ingress protection (water and dust resistance)
– Drop impact resistance
– Battery life per cycle (hours of usage per full charge)
For consumers, the most prominent feature is a new icon (a vibrant little tag) that appears on iPhone and iPad product pages for EU countries, including on every product’s purchase page. Clicking or tapping the icon displays the full label, which can also be accessed in the environmental section of each product’s technical specifications.
Moreover, there is a downloadable PDF with additional information, including battery capacity in milliamp-hours (mAh), the device’s scratch resistance rating on the Mohs hardness scale, and the guaranteed minimum number of years each product will continue to receive security updates.
In addition to the website updates, Apple will now provide a printed version of the energy label inside the box with each new iPhone and iPad sold in the EU, starting with products produced from this point onward.
