Legislators in the EU (European Union) are a step closer to agreeing on rules to standardize how various mobile devices will charge.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) favor a typical charger for portable electronic devices, decreasing e-waste and making it easier to use different mobile devices.
Consumers won’t need to buy a new charger and cable every time they buy a new device because the new guidelines allow them to use one charger for all of their electronic devices.
Mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, and accessories that you can charge with a wired cable must all include a USB Type-C port, regardless of manufacturer. However, products like smartwatches, health trackers, and other sports equipment are not on this list because they are too small to have a USB Type-C port.
According to a statement by the EU, the goal Is to minimize further market crumbling, reduce environmental waste, maintain user convenience, and avoid so-called “lock-in” consequences caused by charging systems.
MEPs’ main concern is labeling, stating clear information about charging choices, helping consumers make more sustainable purchasing decisions, and generating a minimal amount of waste.
For years, legislators have pressed the EU’s executive body to pass legislation to address e-waste. On the other hand, the Commission prefers to work with the industry to reach an agreement on a common charger.
With the reduction of single chargers over time, there is currently no charger compatible with all devices. As a result, the EU’s executive body issued a legislative proposal last year.”
With half a billion chargers for portable devices shipped in Europe each year, generating 11,000 to 13,000 tonnes of e-waste, a single charger for mobile phones and electronic devices would benefit everyone,” said rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba in a statement about the IMCO vote.
It will benefit the environment, save money, and decrease avoidable costs and hassles for businesses and consumers alike. Accordingly, we propose a comprehensive policy intervention, building on the Commission’s approach requiring wireless charging technologies to be interoperable by 2026.
We are also widening the proposal’s scope by including more mobile devices that must comply with the new regulations,” they said.
Following committee approval, the new law supports the entire European Parliament plenary session in May. After that, negotiations with EU national governments to complete the legislation will begin.