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EU Commission proposing same charger for all mobile phones

EU Commission wants one type of charger for all mobile phones

Mobile phones, tablets and headphones should all have the same type of chargers, according to the EU Commission that has presented legislation to establish a common charging solution. Next step is for the European parliament to decide about the proposal. The industry is given two years to adapt to the proposed new legislation.

Apple is the phone maker with a very different charger and has earlier argued against one charger for all. In a statement, the company said: “We remain concerned that strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world”.

The Commission said: “Years of working with industry on a voluntary approach already brought down the number of mobile phone chargers from 30 to 3 within the last decade, but could not deliver a complete solution. The Commission is now putting forward legislation to establish a common charging solution for all relevant devices.”

USB-C will become the standard port for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers and handheld videogame consoles.

The Commission’s vice president, Margrethe Vestager, said: “European consumers were frustrated long enough about incompatible chargers piling up in their drawers. We gave industry plenty of time to come up with their own solutions, now time is ripe for legislative action for a common charger. This is an important win for our consumers and environment and in line with our green and digital ambitions.”

In 2020, approximately 420 million mobile phones and other portable electronic devices were sold in the EU. On average, consumers own around three mobile phone chargers, of which they use two on a regular basis, the Commission said.

The proposal:

  • A harmonised charging port for electronic devices: USB-C will be the comon port. This will allow consumers to charge their devices with the same USB-C charger, regardless of the device brand.
  • Harmonised 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.
  • 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.
  • 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. The revision of the Radio Equipment Directive is part the Commission’s broader action to address the sustainability of products,  in particular electronics on the EU market, which will be the focus of a forthcoming proposal on sustainable products.

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