Nintendo confirms new EU Switch 2 model with replaceable battery
Nintendo confirms Switch 2 redesign that complies with EU regulations
Nintendo has officially confirmed that it is releasing a new version of its Switch 2 console that complies with upcoming EU battery regulations. These regulations state that devices should have batteries that are easily removable and replaceable. The EU’s new regulations come into force on February 18th 2027, and Nintendo plans to release new, compliant Switch 2 models before then. These new models will have an “OSM” code on their packaging.
As it stands, Switch 2 batteries are challenging to remove. IFIXIT called the battery “aggressively glued in” during their Switch 2 teardown. Their teardown required them to use “a full suite of pry tools and generous amounts of isopropyl alcohol” to remove the console’s battery. Simply put, this does not comply with the EU’s Regulation 2023/1542.
Below is what Nintendo had to say about the upcoming change.
Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 concerning batteries and waste batteries (Batteries Regulation)
Like the WEEE Directive, the Batteries Regulation aims to reduce the environmental impact of the manufacture, distribution, use, disposal and recycling of batteries and rechargeable batteries. In doing so, it forbids the supply of batteries and rechargeable batteries with certain hazardous metal content and sets out requirements for batteries’ labelling, safe removal from appliances, collection and recycling. Nintendo products are fully compliant with these requirements, and Nintendo cooperates fully with authorised regional institutions to facilitate the proper collection and environmentally sound recovery or disposal of its batteries.
In addition, the Regulation requires that from February 18th, 2027, batteries integrated into certain appliances and sold in the EU must be easily replaceable by end-users at any time during the lifetime of the product. Nintendo is implementing measures to comply with these requirements by preparing versions of products to meet the Regulation. For current products with model numbers starting with “BEE”, future compliant versions will have unique model numbers and the additional code “OSM” visible on the packaging, designating them as separate products for regulatory purposes.
– Nintendo
(Images from IFIXIT)
The new EU version of the Nintendo Switch 2 should feature easier-to-remove batteries for both the console and its Joy-Con 2 controllers. Note that these changes may not require Nintendo to alter the external aesthetics of its systems. The EU is not mandating hot-swappable batteries for all devices. The law only requires the batteries to be “readily removable and replaceable”.
Overall, this is a positive change for gamers, at least in Europe. Having more repairable hardware is a good thing, especially when hardware shortages have made new products increasingly expensive.
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