European Union (EU) has standardized charging ports for mobile phones and other portable electronic devices. All of the new devices sold in the EU must now support USB-C Charging. This will reduce the number of chargers one needs to buy. This is going to help minimize electronic waste and simplify everyday life. Thus, EU’s common charger rules say that “Power all devices with a single charger”.
So, if one gets tired of digging through drawers to find the right charger for a phone…the EU is certainly at the help as such.
Benefits of the Common Charger
It is to increase consumer convenience. Due to this one can charge mobile phone and other similar electronic devices with one USB-C charger, regardless of the device brand. It will reduce e-waste. As per an estimate, discarded and unused chargers account for about 11,000 tons of e-waste annually. The new rules encourage reusing chargers, which helps to reduce the environmental footprint.
Moreover, it will save money also. With this ruling, one will now be able to buy new electronic devices without a charger. This will help consumers save approximately €250 million a year on unnecessary charger purchases. Plus, harmonizing the ‘fast charging’ technology, new rules will also help to ensure that charging speed is the same when using any compatible charger for a device. EU’s ‘Common Charger Directive’ was approved by the Council of the EU in October 2022. Manufacturers were given a transition period to adjust their designs and ensure compliance.
From 28 December 2024, the rules apply to mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, videogame consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems and earbuds sold in the EU. From 28 April 2026, these will also apply to laptops.
The European Commission had also welcomed the swift provisional political agreement reached between the European Parliament and EU Member States on the Commission’s proposal on a common charging solution adopted in September 2021. As of 2024, all new handheld mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, handheld videogame consoles, headphones, headsets, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, and earbuds will have to be equipped with a USB-C charging port. The deadline for laptops is 2026.
USB-C is a type of connector that is becoming increasingly popular in the technology world. It is a small, reversible, and versatile port that can be used to connect various devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and peripherals. USB-C stands out for its ability to transfer data, power devices, and support different protocols like Thunderbolt, making it a convenient choice for many users.
Leveraging the power of the Single Market, these new and long-awaited rules will bring resource and CO2 savings while allowing technological innovation.
Executive Vice-President, Margrethe Vestager for a ‘Europe fit for the Digital Age’, shared: “No more bundles of different chargers in our drawers. One common charger is a real benefit to us as consumers. It will also help our environment. So, we welcome this agreement of the common charger following a swift conclusion of negotiations between the co-legislators.”
Thierry Breton, Commissioner, responsible for the Internal Market, then shared: “A common charger is common sense for the many electronic devices on our daily lives. Thanks to our strong political commitment, we found an agreement in less than 9 months. European consumers will be able to use a single charger for all their portable electronics – an important step to increase convenience and reduce waste. The deal we struck will bring around 250 million euros of savings to consumers annually. It will also allow new technologies such as wireless charging to emerge and to mature without letting innovation to become source of market fragmentation and consumer inconvenience.”
The agreement confirmed and extended the Commission’s proposal. The charging port and fast charging technology will be harmonized: first, USB-C will be the common port. This will allow consumers to charge their devices with the same USB-C charger, regardless of the device brand. At the same time, harmonizing fast charging technology will help prevent that different producers unjustifiably limit the charging speed and will help to ensure that charging speed is the same when using any compatible charger for a device. These rules will now apply to a range of electronic devices mentioned above. More devices may be included in the future following regular assessment of the market by the Commission.
Unbundling the sale of a charger from the sale of the electronic device: Consumers will be able to purchase a new electronic device without a new charger. This will limit the number of unwanted chargers purchased or left unused. The results produced and the possible extension of the measure to the cable will be assessed in the course of the implementation.
Improved information for consumers
Producers will need to provide relevant information about charging performance, including information on the power required by the device and if it supports fast charging. This will make it easier for consumers to see if their existing chargers meet the requirements of their new device or help them to select a compatible charger.
Setting the way for harmonized wireless charging solutions: Since the technology is evolving rapidly and in order to limit a potential future fragmentation of the market, the Commission will assess the different technologies available in view of a possible future harmonization, and will request to European Standardization Organizations that the appropriate solution is translated into a harmonized standard.
The agreement also ensures that the common charger solutions can be implemented without delay, especially given the widely available technological solutions and ample time already given to industry to adapt. A transition period of 24 months from official adoption is therefore established to make the common charger a reality for everyone for all categories of products in scope except for laptops which will benefit from 40 months.
In 2020, approximately 420 million mobile phones and other portable electronic devices were sold in the EU. However, due to incompatible chargers on the market more than a third of consumers report having experiencing problems, while spending approximately €2.4 billion annually on additional standalone chargers. At the same time, disposed of and unused chargers contribute to many-thousand tons of e-waste every year.
The Commission has supported a common charging solution for mobile phones and similar electronic devices since 2009. While years of working with industry on a voluntary approach helped to bring down the number of mobile phone chargers from 30 to 3 within the last decade, this approach did not allow achieve the full harmonization. With regards to the unbundling of chargers, there was currently no legal basis to frame such a practice.
Since it delivers significant environmental benefits, it is important to complement the harmonization of the charging receptacle. Additionally, the harmonization of the charging protocol ensures that both provisions guarantee the full interoperability and retrieve the biggest benefits for consumers and the environment. Those benefits will be enhanced by the broadening of the list of categories of products covered. With regards to wireless charging, the Commission will monitor the evolution of the technologies and market dynamic with the objective of introducing a future harmonization.
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Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
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