Mobile phones have arguably become an essential part of daily life within the EU. However, the range of electronic devices and brands associated with them have given rise to various types of charging ports. This can be inconvenient, as consumers have to buy chargers that are compatible with the charging ports on their electronic devices, and vice versa. Approximately 38% of consumers in the EU have run into problems due to issues of incompatibility in the past year.[1]Consumers have also incurred extra costs of up to €2.4 billion from buying chargers due to incompatibility issues, and chargers that are thrown away or go unused amount to 11,000 tonnes of electronic waste annually.[2] Hence, there are economic and environmental incentives to address this issue on a large scale. In the past, the EU has tried to facilitate electronic harmonization and limit the issues previously mentioned. For instance, in 2009 a voluntary Memorandum of Understanding was issued and decreased the number of charging methods from 30 to 3.[3] The Memorandum expired in 2014 and was followed by a proposal in 2018, but this was deemed unsatisfactory.[4]

However, the EU introduced legislation this year in hopes of rectifying past blunders. On 23 September 2021, the European Commission announced plans to introduce legislation that would require the harmonization of chargers for electronic devices.[5] This legislation would fall under a revised form of the Radio Equipment Directive. More specifically, the legislation introduces four changes: 1) the USB-C would be the “standard port for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers and handheld videogame consoles”; 2) chargers would no longer be included with the purchase of an electronic device (called ‘unbundling’); 3) all chargers will have fast charging technology; and 4) consumers will be provided more information regarding charging capabilities so that consumers will be empowered to purchase devices and chargers that are compatible with each other, and hence limit avoidable incompatible purchases.[6] Prohibiting chargers from being included in the sale of electronic devices was introduced to reduce the environmental impact of making and disposing of chargers, and the harmonization of the use of USB-C was introduced for the convenience of customers.[7] The harmonization of fast charging technology aims to “prevent […] producers [from] unjustifiably limit[ing] the charging speed and will help to ensure that charging speed is the same when using any compatible charger for a device”.[8] The introduction of these changes have been estimated to save consumers €250 million annually on needless charger purchases, and reduce the environmental impact of chargers by almost 1,000 tonnes annually.[9]

Despite the promising effects of this legislation, there are inevitably those who oppose the changes. It has been argued, for instance, that the proposal will inhibit innovation. The argument is that it is disadvantageous to mandate USB-C as the common charger, as future technological developments are difficult to predict and USB-C may fall out of use if a better method comes onto the market.[10] Furthermore, several companies are currently testing the use of wireless chargers, increasing the likelihood that charging cables will become antiquated.[11] The proposal would require such companies to provide charging cables regardless of whether they transition to wireless charging.[12]  Moreover, mandating a common charger would generate more e-waste as consumers would have to switch to the common charger if they currently use a different charging method.[13] Others have also criticized the proposal as an attack on Apple, which uses a lightning cable for its devices.[14] Skeptics have also said that more competition is needed within the market, which would in turn create innovation — but the proposal will only inhibit competition, and consequently constrain innovation.[15] In lieu of the proposal, they suggest that the EU should remain neutral and only provide general recommendations but ultimately allow companies and consumers to make their own decisions.[16]

In response to these criticisms, the EU has stated that it aims to encourage innovation for both wired and wireless charging.[17] It has promised to reflect technological developments “in a timely adjustment of technical requirements/ specific standards, [… to] ensure that the technology used is not outdated.”[18] It was also stated that to allow for future developments in wireless technology the proposal refrains from setting “specific technical requirements for wireless charging”, and companies can freely sell wireless chargers along with wired charging.[19] In response to the argument that the proposal is anti-innovation, Anna Cavazzini, the chair of the European Parliament’s consumer protection committee, stated, “I don’t see it […] The proposal states that if a new standard emerges that is better than USB-C, we can adapt the rules.”[20]

Regarding future developments, the proposal from September 23 must be adopted by the European Parliament and the European Council to have legal standing.[21] From the date of adoption the industry will be given a grace period of 24 months to adapt to the legislation.[22] Whether this proposal generates more pushback and is implemented without a hitch remains to be seen, but its potential substantial environmental and economic benefits give it some merit.

Sources

European Commission. (2021). “Pulling the plug on consumer frustration and e-waste” Commission proposes a common charger for electronic devices.” Press release. <ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_4613>.

Arunashvili, A. (2021). “The EU mandated harmonisation of charging ports will negatively impact innovation.” <consumerchoicecenter.org/the-eu-mandated-harmonisation-of-charging-ports-will-negatively-impact-innovation/>.

European Commission (2021). “Commission proposes a common charging solution for electronic devices – Questions and Answers.” <ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_21_4614>.

Gotev, G. (2021). “EU to propose legislation on common mobile charger in September.” EURACTIV. <www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/eu-to-propose-legislation-on-common-mobile-charger-in-september/>.

European Parliament. (2021) “A common charger: better for consumers and the environment.” <www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20211008STO14517/a-common-charger-better-for-consumers-and-the-environment>.

[1] European Commission. (2021). “Pulling the plug on consumer frustration and e-waste” Commission proposes a common charger for electronic devices.” Press release. <ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_4613>.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Arunashvili, A. (2021). “The EU mandated harmonisation of charging ports will negatively impact innovation.” <consumerchoicecenter.org/the-eu-mandated-harmonisation-of-charging-ports-will-negatively-impact-innovation/>.

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Gotev, G. (2021). “EU to propose legislation on common mobile charger in September.” EURACTIV. <www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/eu-to-propose-legislation-on-common-mobile-charger-in-september/>.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Ibid.

[16] Ibid.

[17]  European Commission. (2021). “Pulling the plug on consumer frustration and e-waste” Commission proposes a common charger for electronic devices.” Press release. <ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_4613>.

[18] European Commission (2021). “Commission proposes a common charging solution for electronic devices – Questions and Answers.” <ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/QANDA_21_4614>.

[19] Ibid.

[20] European Parliament. (2021) “A common charger: better for consumers and the environment.” <www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20211008STO14517/a-common-charger-better-for-consumers-and-the-environment>.

[21] European Commission. (2021). “Pulling the plug on consumer frustration and e-waste: Commission proposes a common charger for electronic devices.” Press release. <ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_4613>.

[22] Ibid.