The European Union published its proposal for a common charger for certain consumer electronic devices: hand-held mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers.
The directive will be incorporated into the Radio Equipment Directive, but the intention is to eliminate the need for each device to be sold with its own charger, thereby reducing material use and e-waste and helping to enable the circular economy.
The proposed regulation will require these products to:
- Use a harmonised USB-C charging port.
- Meet specified requirements for labelling,
- Unbundling the sale of devices and chargers,
- Support a harmonised fast charging technology.
The proposed regulation leverages:
- The connector and cable requirements specified in IEC 62680-1-3:2021 ‘Universal serial bus interfaces for data and power – Part 1-3: Common components – USB Type-CTM Cable and Connector Specification’
- Incorporates the USB power delivery as specified in EN IEC 62680-1-2:2021 ‘Universal serial bus interfaces for data and power – Part 1-2: Common components – USB Power Delivery specification’
A press release on the Commission website provides a summary of the proposed directive and links to the proposal[1].
The Commission has proposed a 24-month transition period after the directive is adopted.
[1] Proposed Directive for a common charger, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_4613