EU proposes stricter regulation of after-sales support for mobile phones

The European Union has previously established that USB-C will become the standard port for all devices such as smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers, and handheld game consoles. Charging ports and fast charging technology will be harmonized, and by autumn 2024, it will be mandatory for all mobile phones sold in the EU to have USB-C ports. At the same time, the European Union is calling for the interoperability of wireless charging technology by 2026, which means that the next step is likely to harmonize wireless charging standards.

In the eyes of many consumers, this series of actions by the EU not only improves the convenience of consumers, and reduces the production and disposal of chargers, but also effectively supports environmental protection and is generally welcomed. According to DigiTimes, the EU plans to take further action in the near future, proposing new regulations on repair parts and software updates provided by mobile phone manufacturers.

In the proposal drafted by the EU, it is stipulated that spare parts for at least 15 important parts should be provided for at least five years since the product is launched so that consumers can find spare parts when they need maintenance; in addition, it is required that after the battery reaches 500 cycles, at least 83% of the capacity is guaranteed, and the label on the device needs to indicate other main characteristics such as battery life expectancy and drop resistance; in terms of software, after the product is withdrawn from the market, it also needs to guarantee at least three years of functional updates and five years of security updates.

The EU hopes that this move will extend the lifespan of devices such as smartphones and tablet computers and that products can be repaired and recyclable, reducing energy consumption, resource waste, and environmental pollution.