In March, Japan’s Nikkei Shimbun revealed a report that Nintendo was engaged on a brand new Change 2 revision to adjust to European Union rules that will let you substitute batteries in client electronics your self.
In an replace this week, Nintendo’s official European web site confirmed that “future compliant variations” of the Change 2 for the area will include a “distinctive mannequin quantity” and a further code “OSM” that may seem on the packaging, designating them as separate merchandise.
That is efficient from the next date, as acknowledged within the official compliance message beneath: February 18, 2027. Right here is the complete textual content:
Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and waste batteries (Battery Regulation)
Just like the WEEE Directive, the Battery Regulation goals to scale back the environmental affect of the manufacturing, distribution, use, disposal and recycling of batteries and rechargeable batteries. It prohibits the provision of batteries and rechargeable batteries containing sure hazardous metals, and establishes necessities for battery labeling, secure elimination from family home equipment, assortment and recycling. Nintendo merchandise are absolutely compliant with these necessities, and Nintendo works absolutely with licensed native businesses to facilitate the right assortment and environmentally accountable restoration or disposal of batteries.
Moreover, the regulation requires that, from February 18, 2027, batteries in sure family home equipment bought inside the EU should be simply replaceable by the top person at any time through the product’s lifetime. Nintendo is taking steps to adjust to these necessities by getting ready variations of our merchandise that meet the rules. For present merchandise with mannequin numbers starting with “BEE,” future compliant variations can have a novel mannequin quantity and a further code “OSM” on the packaging to designate them as separate merchandise for regulatory functions.
As chances are you’ll bear in mind, “OSM” was the mysterious product code that sparked rumors of a brand new Change 2 mannequin earlier this yr. After all, as we now know, in Europe these guidelines should be adopted.
It is value noting that the revised mannequin might not have any simply seen beauty variations apart from the top person’s simpler entry to the battery with out disassembling the console. Nintendo quietly launched a revised model of the unique Change 1 mannequin in 2019 that had improved battery life and in addition closed safety holes within the unique {hardware}’s Nvidia chipset, however it appeared the identical. Subsequently, this isn’t the primary time such revisions have been made.
The Japanese firm additionally lately introduced worth modifications for the Change 2. These are anticipated to return into impact in Western nations in September of this yr.