IP68 is defined as:

suitable for continuous immersion in water under conditions which the manufacturer shall specify

The Apple “conditions” include this choice quote:

resistant to accidental spills from common liquids

And this one:

Splash, water and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Liquid damage is not covered under warranty

I think it would be hard for Apple to argue handling “accidental spills” meets the EU requirement for the device to be “regularly subject to splashing water”. Especially when “normal wear” can decrease the water resistance and it’s not covered under warranty.

If, on the other hand, Apple actually makes a phone I can use to record my kids swimming underwater… heck yeah that sounds awesome. I’d totally sacrifice a user replaceable battery. Bring it on.