Science & Tech

MOBILE phones and other electronic devices in the European Union will need to have standardised charging equipment from 2024,  under legislation given final approval on Monday.

“It will no longer be necessary to buy a different charger every time you purchase a new mobile phone or similar device,” said a statement from the Council of the EU, representing the 27 EU member states.

The final approval from EU environment ministers confirmed a recent vote in the European Parliament in favour of a universal charger and was considered a formality.

Under the agreement, USB-C was to become the standard charging socket in the EU.

Among the other electronic devices included in the agreement were tablets, e-readers, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, and portable speakers.

The regulation also allowed consumers to purchase charging equipment and devices separately from one another.

Czech Industry Minister Jozef Síkela said having “a charger that fits multiple devices will save money and time and also helps us reduce electronic waste.”

The Czech Republic currently had the rotating six-month EU presidency, putting it in charge of directing the bloc’s policy agenda.

The new rule came  after pushing for companies to make charging equipment for mobile phones and other portable devices more uniformed since 2014 with original proposals dating as far back as 2009.

The agreement came despite industry resistance.

Apple in particular, had criticised the regulations as hampering innovation.

The U.S. technology giant argued that  the move could cause many existing products to be needlessly thrown away.

The European Commission, however, estimated disposed chargers generated 11,000 tonnes of e-waste every year. (dpa/NAN)

A.I

Tags: European Union Jozef Síkela