According to this post on RegHardware the European Union is preparing to launch new guidance to electronics manufacturers regarding the use of internal batteries which could cause Apple some headaches, but if it goes through presumably will benefit consumers in the medium term.

According to the article the EU directive will mandate that by 2012 25% of all portable batteries must be recycled and the implication is that the consumer should be able to readily remove the battery themselves, something that is currently not possible for Apples iPods and the MacBook Air.