The European Union mandated all mobile phones, tablets, and cameras sold in the jurisdiction be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. .“The common charger will finally become a reality in Europe,” said EU Parliament rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba in a Tuesday press release. .“We have waited more than 10 years for these rules, but we can finally leave the current plethora of chargers in the past.”.The release said the law will expand to laptops by 2026. The law was adopted with 602 votes in favour, 13 against, and eight abstentions. .The release went on to say under the new regulations, people will no longer need a different charger every time they buy a new device, as they will be able to use one for a range of them. It added electronic devices rechargeable with a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 watts, have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port. .It said all devices supporting fast charging will have the same speed, allowing users to fill them with any compatible charger. .As wireless charging becomes more prevalent, the European Commission will have to harmonize interoperability requirements by the end of 2024 to avoid having negative effects to people and the environment. The law will end the technological lock-in effect, where a person becomes dependent on a single manufacturer..The release said dedicated labels will inform people about the charging characteristics of new devices, making it easier for them to see whether they are compatible. It said buyers will be able to make an informed choice about purchasing a new charger with a device. .These new requirements will lead to more chargers being reused and will help people save up to $337 million per year on unnecessary purchases. Disposed and unused chargers account for about 11,000 tons of electronic waste every year in the EU..Saliba said this law “allows for the development of innovative charging solutions in the future, and it will benefit everyone — from frustrated consumers to our vulnerable environment.”.“These are difficult times for politics, but we have shown that the EU has not run out of ideas or solutions to improve the lives of millions in Europe and inspire other parts of the world to follow suit,” said Saliba. .The EU proposed the law in 2021 to combat consumer inconvenience and electronic waste. .“We gave industry plenty of time to come up with their own solutions, now time is ripe for legislative action for a common charger,” said Europe Fit for the Digital Age executive Vice-president Margrethe Vestager. .“This is an important win for our consumers and environment and in line with our green and digital ambitions.”
