The European Union takes another step toward the single charger

The European Union's proposal to adopt a single charger for our smartphones and other electronic devices is getting closer to becoming a reality. This Wednesday, the Committee for Consumer Protection and the Internal Market of the European Parliament adopted a favorable position on the initiative, the starting point before the draft of the law is readjusted.

This is a preliminary step but essential so that all parliamentary groups agree upon the project over the coming months. Afterwards, MEPs will be able to start talks with the governments of the EU member countries to define the final form of the single charge legislation.

Path to the single charger

The EU wants users not to need a new charger and cable every time they buy new devices with future legislation. Categories include mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headsets, handheld game consoles, and portable speakers.

All these devices must have a USB-C port. The truth is that some manufacturers have already begun to adopt this type of port in their devices, even before the new legislation is approved. This is the case with Android phones. Apple, for its part, has been very reluctant about the idea.

The iPhone, iPad, and other products of the apple company incorporate the proprietary Lightning port, exclusive to the brand. Apple has said that the EU's proposal to adopt a single charger would hurt innovation and create a lot of waste if consumers were forced to switch chargers.

The European Parliament does not think the same. He assures that his proposal is part of a more considerable effort to advance the sustainability of products, in particular in the electronics market, reducing the number of technological waste generated within the common market.

“With half a billion chargers for portable devices shipped to Europe each year, generating between 11,000 and 13,000 tons of electronic waste, a single charger for mobile phones and other small and medium-sized electronic devices would benefit everyone,” said Alex Agius Saliba, MP of the European Parliament for Spain.

But it is not only about establishing a single charger. The EU proposal also seeks to "prevent different manufacturers from unjustifiably limiting the charging speed and will help ensure that the charging speed is the same when using a compatible charger for a device."

In short, the project still has a long way to go. Now that the Committee has set Parliament's negotiating position, MEPs will have to agree with EU member states on the final form of the legislation. The idea of ​​​​the single charger, which has been around for years, seems to be on the way, but we still have to wait a little longer.