On April 21, 2022, MEPs from the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee adopted, by 43 votes for and 2 against, the revision of the directive on radio equipment. They support the creation of a universal charger to reduce electronic waste.
Soon a universal USB-C charger?
The revision adopted by MEPs aims to “ensure that consumers no longer need a new charger and new cables every time they buy a new portable device”. MEPs want to introduce a universal charger system, to ensure that a single charger can allow the recharging of all electronic gadgets small and medium-sized: mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and audio headsets, portable video game consoles or even portable speakers.
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Regardless of brand, lawmakers say all of these devices should have a USB-C port. Their choice for a universal charger therefore seems to be towards this type of charging, one of the fastest in the world. However, they make an exception for devices that are too small for this type of port, such as smartwatches and other health and sports tracking devices. As can be read in the European Parliament’s press release, the revision of this directive is part of “as part of a wider action launched with the aim of addressing the issue of the sustainability of products placed on the Union market”.
A measure to act in favor of the environment
MEPs are also asking for better information about chargers. They believe it is essential that manufacturers specify whether a charger is offered with the new device when purchasing. According to them, this would avoid any confusion and “would simplify purchasing decisions for consumers who often already own several electronic devices and do not need additional chargers”. In the revision adopted, MEPs are also interested to wireless charging and invite the European Commission to guarantee a minimum level of interoperability for all new charging solutions.
The rapporteur of this text, Alex Agius Saliba, specifies that “knowing that 500 million chargers for portable devices are shipped each year in Europe and that they generate between 11,000 and 13,000 tonnes of electronic waste, a single charger for mobile phones and other small or medium-sized electronic devices would benefit everyone”. It seems that this measure is above all taken to act in favor of the environment. A universal charger is expected to promote the reuse of old electronics, save money and reduce unnecessary costs for businesses and consumers.