Mobile phone charging – Image by StockSnap on Pixabay
(LUXEMBOURG) – A USB-C port will become mandatory in 2024 for electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and headphones, following final approval by EU ministers Tuesday of the common charger directive.
This means that in 2024, it will no longer be necessary to buy a different charger every time you purchase a new mobile phone or similar device: all of them can be recharged using the same charger.
Having a common charger is expected to improve consumer convenience by harmonising charging interfaces and fast charging technology, and also to significantly reduce electronic waste.
“We all have at least three mobile phone chargers at home,” said Czech trade minister Jozef Síkela, for the EU presidency: “Looking for the right charger, either at home or at work, can be quite annoying. On top of this, these chargers amount to 11.000 tonnes of e-waste every year. Having a charger that fits multiple devices will save money and time and also helps us reduce electronic waste.”
The new rules will make a USB-C charging port mandatory for a whole range of electronic devices. This will mean that most devices can be charged using the same charger. For consumers to know exactly what they are buying, the directive introduces a pictogram that specifies whether a new device comes with a charger and a label indicating the charging performance.
The directive also allows consumers to choose whether to purchase a new device with or without a charger. This will not only save consumers money, but will also reduce the electronic waste associated with the production, transportation and disposal of chargers. Four years after the directive enters into force, the Commission will assess whether this unbundling of sales should be made mandatory.
Although becoming more popular, wireless charging has not yet been harmonised across devices. To enable this technology to become available for more devices, the Commission will work on harmonising wireless charging for electronic devices and on interoperability based on technological developments.
The new rules will apply to a mobile phones, tablets and e-readers, digital cameras and video game consoles, headphones, earbuds and portable loudspeakers, wireless mice and keyboards and portable navigation systems.
In addition, all laptops will also be covered by the new rules 40 months following the entry into force of the directive. Following the Council’s approval of the European Parliament’s position, the legislative act has been adopted.
