Overview
- Nintendo confirmed Thursday that it is preparing Switch 2 versions for sale in the European Union that let end users easily remove and replace the console battery.
- The company says current Switch 2 products whose model numbers begin with "BEE" will receive separate SKUs for Europe and carry an additional "OSM" code on packaging to identify compliant units.
- Nintendo has not revealed how the battery will be made replaceable, whether controllers and other accessories with built‑in batteries will be revised, or whether the OSM-marked models will be sold outside the EU.
- The change responds to Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, which takes effect on February 18, 2027 and requires integrated batteries in certain appliances sold in the EU to be easily removable to improve recycling and reduce waste.
- The move could force regional production and inventory splits that affect price and availability, while giving EU owners easier repair options; Nintendo’s 2019 quiet hardware revision sets a precedent for a subtle, region-limited update.