In line with the upcoming community directives on the sustainability of electronic devices, the Kyoto company is preparing to introduce a modified version of its new generation console on the European market
The course of portable technology is preparing to undergo a U-turn guided by European regulations, and Nintendo seems intent on not being caught unprepared. The Japanese company has confirmed on its official website that it is planning structural changes for the Switch 2 hardware intended for European Union markets, allowing users to remove and replace the battery much easier than current standards. The decision responds directly to a new EU regulation that comes into force on 18 February 2027, which requires that a wide range of personal electronic devices, including handheld gaming consoles, be designed to facilitate self-maintenance by consumers.
At the moment, the exact functioning of the new mechanism has not been detailed and the disassembly procedures for the current hardware remain complex and involved. Future models compliant with European law will be distinguished by the presence of the OSM identification code on the packaging, clearly separating them from the first versions marked with the BEE code in the Federal Communications Commission registers. It is not yet clear whether this structural revision will also be extended to non-European markets or whether it will involve the console controllers, but the step taken by Nintendo marks a concrete turning point towards the era of the right to repair.