In the near future, a single type of charger will be used for all smartphones, tablets, headphones and other electronic devices in the European Union (EU) countries.
This rule will also apply to Apple, which has been using its own “Lightning” port and adapter since 2012. Apple will have to provide a USB memory port on their devices.
Following the EU member states, the European Parliament also supported the European Union (EU) Commission’s proposal on this issue.
According to Belgian media, the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Commission accepted the EU Commission’s “uniform charger” proposal with 43 votes to 2.
With the regulation to be made by the EU, all electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, portable video consoles and portable speakers will be able to be connected to the same charger in the near future.
Less electronic waste
The uniform charger requirement will not only cover devices too small to be equipped with a USB memory port, such as smartwatches.
The decision of the EU Commission and parliament aims to produce less electronic waste, as well as ease of use for consumers.
Under the proposal passed by parliament, each device’s packaging will have clear labels on how it can be charged and whether the packaging contains a charger.
After the proposal is accepted in the General Assembly of the European Parliament, EU member states will be able to start working to take the final step on this issue.
Alex Agius Saliba, rapporteur of the European Parliament Commission on Internal Market and Consumer Protection, pointed out that between 11 and 13 thousand tons of electronic waste is produced in Europe every year, emphasizing that a uniform universal charger would benefit everyone.
“Regulation will help the environment, encourage the reuse of old electronics, save money and eliminate unnecessary costs and problems for businesses and consumers,” said the Maltese rapporteur.