Since 2009, the European Commission has been urging electronics manufacturers to use the same chargers for their smartphones and other devices, in an effort to promote a universal charging solution. Last year, the European Union announced that it would pass relevant laws and regulations to establish a common charging solution for all related devices.
In the proposed revision, charging ports and fast charging technology will be harmonized, and USB-C will become the standard port for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers, and handheld game consoles. The European Commission also recommends that chargers and electronic devices be sold separately to improve consumer convenience and reduce the production and disposal of chargers to effectively support environmental protection and digital transformation.
Recently, the European Union
announced that the MEP of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee passed the proposal with 43 votes in favor to 2 against. In addition to establishing USB Type-C port as a new standard for a portable device, the EU exempts devices that are too small to have a USB-C port, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and some sports wearables.
In this newly revised proposal, the European Commission called for the interoperability of wireless charging technology by 2026, which means that the EU will likely unify wireless charging standards in the next step. In addition, the content of the new revision proposal also includes a requirement to improve the labeling of charging options on the device, with clear information and labels, and indicating whether a charger is included. The EU also wants the new universal charging solution to work with more devices, including laptops and other electronics.
Apple iPhones, AirPods, and some iPads still use Lightning cables, apparently the hardest hit. In 2020, Apple said that the EU’s universal charging solution would stifle rather than encourage innovation, ultimately damage European consumers and even affect the economy of the entire region.
It is reported that the entire universal charging solution will go to a plenary vote at the European Parliament in May 2022.
