INDUSTRY NEWS

In October 2025, the European Commission adopted Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2052 under the ecodesign framework, expanding market requirements across external power supplies, wireless chargers, general-use portable battery chargers, and USB Type-C cables, while repealing Regulation (EU) 2019/1782. The move signals a broader push toward measurable energy-efficiency baselines and more predictable charging ecosystem performance.

USB-IF added USB Power Delivery Specification Revision 3.2 Version 1.1 to its official Document Library, reinforcing the baseline reference used by manufacturers and labs for USB-C PD interoperability and certification. The update highlights growing emphasis on predictable negotiation behavior, multi-port power sharing consistency, and tighter alignment between declared PD versions and real firmware implementation.

Health Canada opened a pre-consultation (Dec 2, 2025 to Feb 14, 2026) on introducing mandatory safety requirements for lithium-ion batteries and battery-containing consumer products under CCPSA. The notice cites incident and recall data and outlines possible routes such as third-party certification and referencing standards like CSA 62133-2, UL 1642, and UL 2054.

UL published ANSI/UL 62368-1:2025 (Fourth Edition), refreshing the North American safety baseline for AV/ICT products. The update mainly affects certification planning, lab expectations, and documentation alignment across consumer electronics supply chains.

EU smartphone labels began applying in 2025, adding standardized battery lifespan information and a repairability score to make durability claims easier to compare at point of sale. The shift increases transparency pressure on brands to align declared label information with testing and documentation.

EU smartphone rules now standardise how battery lifespan and endurance information is displayed on labels, making longevity claims easier to compare and harder to exaggerate. This shift increases scrutiny on battery-related marketing and pushes brands toward clearer, more verifiable durability messaging.

In 2025, the EU begins applying battery information and transparency requirements under Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 in market supervision, making battery capacity representation, performance consistency, and product identification key reference points in compliance checks.

USB-IF has updated the USB Type-C Cable Specification to more clearly define current stability under sustained load conditions, refining how cable performance is evaluated in Power Delivery applications and improving consistency across certification and interoperability testing.

UL 62368-1:2025 introduces stricter safety expectations for chargers and power banks, pushing buyers to focus on thermal stability, protection design, and model-level certification rather than relying on legacy compliance.

Mini power banks deliver strong charging performance because their boost converters turn a 3.7V internal cell into stable 5V–12V output. Efficiency, heat control, and protocol chips determine real-world quality.

Recent lab reports show a growing rise in smartphone damage caused by counterfeit USB-C cables, which fail basic safety tests, overheat under fast charging, and quietly shorten battery lifespan.

A new EU consumer report shows that 40% of power banks do not meet their claimed capacity, with many delivering only 55%–80% of the advertised mAh. Regulators warn this signals poor-quality cells and potential safety risks.

Realme has unveiled an AI-powered Smart Charging System that can extend smartphone battery health by up to 25%. The algorithm adjusts voltage and current in real time, reducing heat and chemical stress during PD and PPS fast charging. Tested on the Realme GT7 Pro, it improves battery cycle life from around 800 to 1,000 full charges. This launch marks Realme’s move toward sustainable fast charging and aligns with the global push for longer-lasting smartphone batteries.

Xiaomi has officially started mass production of its BN58 smartphone battery series, designed for flagship Mi and Redmi models. Using a stacked-layer lithium polymer design with silicon-carbon anode materials, the BN58 achieves 5300mAh capacity, 12% better energy retention, and 18% higher thermal stability than the BN54. Optimized for 120W PD fast charging, it represents Xiaomi’s push toward safer, denser, and more efficient smartphone battery production.