USB-Type C Charger is set to become the only common charger that can be used to charge phones in all European Union (EU) states following European Parliament’s approval on Tuesday.
Newsonline reports that the Parliament’s approval comes after 10 years of pushing for a common charger for portable devices for EU consumers as a single charging solution for their electronic devices.
In a press release of Tuesday, the EU Parliament said by the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in EU member states will use only USB-Type C Charger.
According to a press release obtained by Newsonline, consumers of electronic gadgets that require charging will have the option of buying new electronic gadgets without a new charger, as they can use the USB-Type C they already have to charge their new devices.
The approval according to EU parliament will help reduce the negative impact of electronic wastes on consumers and the environment
Part of the statement read, “by the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops. The new law, adopted by plenary on Tuesday with 602 votes in favour, 13 against and 8 abstentions, is part of a broader EU effort to reduce e-waste and to empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.
“Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices.
“Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.
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“All devices that support fast charging will now have the same charging speed, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.”
The EU said the approval is aimed at encouraging technological innovation, “as wireless charging becomes more prevalent, the European Commission will have to harmonise interoperability requirements by the end of 2024, to avoid having a negative impact on consumers and the environment. This will also get rid of the so-called technological “lock-in” effect, whereby a consumer becomes dependent on a single manufacturer.”
It added that better information and choice for consumers are guaranteed as “dedicated labels will inform consumers about the charging characteristics of new devices, making it easier for them to see whether their existing chargers are compatible. Buyers will also be able to make an informed choice about whether or not to purchase a new charging device with a new product.”
“These new obligations will lead to more re-use of chargers and will help consumers save up to 250 million euro a year on unnecessary charger purchases. Disposed of and unused chargers account for about 11 000 tonnes of e-waste annually in the EU,” the statement added.
Archive sources showed that in the past decade, Parliament has repeatedly called for the introduction of a common charger. Despite previous efforts to work with industry to bring down the number of mobile chargers, voluntary measures failed to produce concrete results for EU consumers. The legislative proposal was finally tabled by the Commission on 23 September 2021.
