European Union co-legislators have reached a tentative agreement on a common charging solution for phones, laptops, tablets, and other small and medium sized electronics, which will be in place by the fall of 2024.
The common charging solution for laptops has been given a little more time to be implemented because of different power charging characteristics.
Lawmakers have agreed for the Commission to ask standards authorities to come up with a standard for wireless charging interoperability. The commission will be given the power to adapt the directive via delegated acts to make sure that the wireless charging kit doesn't sidestep the requirement for a common approach.
The deal between the European Parliament and Council paves the way for a formal vote later this summer to approve the amendment to the EU's Radio Equipment Directive.
The new rules will take effect 20 days after publication in the EU Official Journal, with the common charging provisions taking effect 24 months later.
The parliament has been pushing for common charger rules for over a decade in order to reduce the amount of e-waste generated by consumers in the bloc. EU lawmakers estimate that about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste is generated each year because of unused chargers.
The Commission came forward with a proposal last fall, and it took a matter of months to agree.
The charging solution will affect more than one company. Alex Agius Saliba, the parliament's lead negotiator on the file, said during a press conference that it would affect a lot of brands when it comes into force.
EU consumers will have a choice to buy a new device with or without an external power supply, and must be provided with clear information on the charging characteristics of new devices so they can easily tell if their existing chargers are compatible or not.
It will be interesting to see if there is a flurry of device releases by manufacturers ahead of the deadline because in-scope products will not be required to comply.
A common charging approach is in the interest of European consumers and the environment, according to the internal market commissioner.
We have been waiting for a long time. It was difficult, but we were able to do it. Only nine months are available. When there is a political will, we can move quickly. We are working for our own people, not the interests of the lobbies.
He urged device makers to be ready and said they shouldn't wait the full two years for the switch since "these will be the rules".
The Commission is working on ecodesign and energy labelling measures, which are intended to prevent premature obsolescence of smartphones and tablets, as well as other important issues.
The measures will include reliability, ease of dismantling, incentivizing repair, access to critical spare parts as well as boosting recycling, according to Breton.
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