Meta and Ray-Ban smart glasses blocked from EU launch by battery regulations, AI rules, and supply constraints

Meta's display-equipped Ray-Ban smart glasses remain unavailable in the European Union due to a combination of supply shortages, AI feature restrictions, and EU battery regulations that will require removable batteries in consumer devices by 2027, according to a person familiar with the situation. Meta is actively lobbying the EU for a carve-out from the battery rule on behalf of itself and other smart glasses makers, but is also reluctant to launch in the region without full AI functionality, which local regulations would restrict. The delay comes as Meta and EssilorLuxottica have discussed doubling production capacity in 2026 to meet rising demand, and as Meta expands the Ray-Ban partnership to include Oakley glasses and holds discussions with Prada about a high-end AI glasses line.