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Tech lobby seeks exemption from EU battery rules for wearable devices

Campaigners warn against industry push for exemption from electronic waste rules

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott
The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.
Sat May 09 2026 - 06:00

Sir, - I sincerely hope the Government turns its deafest ear and sharpest tongue on Technology Ireland, a lobby group which represents the “tech industry”, in the group’s efforts to be exempt from new rules that will require products, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers to be fitted with easily replaceable batteries (“Smart-watch makers seek exemption from battery rules,” Jack Power, May 6th)

This battery issue pertaining to wearable technology should only be a starting point in tackling wider battery powered technology, aimed at the individual, such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and headphones etc. -Yours, etc,

Michael Gannon,

Kilkenny.

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[ Smart-watch makers seek exemption from battery rules ]