Vulcan Insight | European Parliament adopts Common Charger position

In a critical step towards mandating a common charger across the EU, Members of the European Parliament’s internal market and consumer protection committee (IMCO) agreed on their position for a single charger for mobile phones and other small electronic devices, such as tablets, e-book readers, smart cameras and wearable electronics at their meeting on Wednesday.

The Parliament’s internal position largely backs the September 2021 proposal put forward by the European Commission and must now be negotiated with the EU Member States in the Council before the final Regulation can enter into force.

As expected, however, MEPs are proposing to significantly go further than the Commission’s plans by including more devices, setting requirements for wireless charging, and making the default option for products to be sold without a new charger. In addition, MEPs want the cut the implementation time by half, meaning the rules would enter into force in one, rather than two years.

Speaking of the adoption in the Parliament, Alex Agius Saliba, who leads on the file, said that “We are proposing a truly comprehensive policy intervention, building on the Commission’s proposal by calling for the interoperability of wireless charging technologies by 2026 and improving information given to consumers with dedicated labels. We are also expanding the proposal’s scope by adding more products, such as laptops, that will need to comply with the new rules.”

In all, the proposal follows more than a decade of lobbying for a common charger by consumer groups, environmental activists and a bipartisan range of MEPs. On this, Chair of the IMCO Committee, Anna Cavazzini from the Green Party, highlighted the larger benefits by arguing that “if one cable to charge smartphones, laptops or headphones becomes a reality, it will save resources, prevent electronic waste and save consumers’ money. This is a perfect example of how consumer protection goes hand in hand with fighting the climate crisis.”

Compliments of Vulcan Consulting – a member of the EACCNY.