EU Regulations Complicate Meta's Smart Glasses Launch

WearablesSmart MaterialsBatteries

Meta's smart glasses are on the verge of a major launch, but EU regulations on batteries and AI are causing complications.

TL;DR
• Meta's smart glasses face EU regulations on batteries and AI.
• The regulations will impact the device's functionality and availability in the EU.
• Manufacturers are struggling to accommodate the technology in a confined space.

Summary
Meta’s Ray‑Bans face EU battery and AI rules that could delay launch and force design changes.
• Verify battery removal compliance before finalizing form factor.
• Map AI feature limits to EU regulatory thresholds early.
• Engage with EU regulators to negotiate exemptions for wearables.
• Plan supply chain buffers for waveguide display bottlenecks.

Meta’s smart glasses, introduced in the U.S. in September 2025, were slated for Europe in early 2026 but were postponed due to limited supply and high demand. The new EU Battery Regulation, effective February 18, 2027, requires many devices, including wearables, to have user‑replaceable batteries. This rule forces manufacturers to balance weight, ergonomics, energy efficiency, and heat management in compact designs.

Simultaneously, EU AI regulations threaten to restrict certain AI functions in the glasses. Meta markets the devices as “AI glasses,” and any limitation could undermine their value proposition. The company is negotiating an exemption that would apply to its own products and potentially to other manufacturers, as the regulation could affect watches, earbuds, and pins as well.

EssilorLuxottica, Meta’s eyewear partner, and other tech giants such as Google and Apple are likely to encounter similar hurdles. The complex waveguide display technology has already caused supply bottlenecks, prompting Meta to focus on the U.S. market. Whether existing EU‑available products will be impacted by the new battery and AI rules remains uncertain.

The regulatory landscape underscores the need for early compliance testing, transparent stakeholder engagement, and robust risk mitigation plans. Companies must balance innovation with responsible design to meet both consumer expectations and evolving European standards.

Will Meta's smart glasses be able to overcome the EU regulations and launch successfully?