On 23 September 2021, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal to amend the 2014 Radio Equipment Directive, as a first step towards mandating a common charger for mobile phones and other small portable devices. Under the proposal, these devices would have to be equipped with a USB Type-C receptacle that can be charged with cables compatible with USB Type C, and to incorporate the USB Power Delivery communication protocol. In this podcast, we’ll talk about a common charger for electronic devices, a proposal by the European Commission that could make our lives much easier if finally approved.

EPRS policy podcast - A common charger for electronic devices: Revision of the Radio Equipment Directive

View in the plenary chamber of the European Parliament in Strasbourg with United Kingdom flags on the desks. Empty seats with headphones, microphones and electronic voting machines.

Hemicycle in Strasbourg

European Parliament in Strasbourg. Hemicycle, detail, electronic vote in a plenary session.

Man looking at a guitar in a second hand shop for electronics.

Second hand shop for electronics.

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic Tagging. Prison sentence commuted to electronic surveillance.

Electronic bracelet. Surveillance consisting of an electronic device attached to a person, especially certain criminals, allowing their whereabouts to be monitored.

The media situation in Belarus has never been easy. Over the years various laws have lessened the rights of independent journalists and imposed limits on both traditional and electronic media. Following the August 2020 presidential election, which ignited a brutal crackdown against the democratic opposition, the situation has worsened. The European Union, and the European Parliament in particular, actively support independent media and civil society in Belarus, and the Council of the EU and the Parliament both address the challenges to media freedom in the country. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely. Dig deeper into the Belarusian media environment in and what the EU does to support press freedom on our blog: https://epthinktank.eu/2022/02/11/media-environment-in-belarus/

EPRS - Media environment in Belarus

Ahead of each new rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (every 6 months), the ministers of the holding country present their priorities in a series of meetings with parliamentary committees related to their political area. On Monday and Tuesday, the committee of INTA, AGRI, IMCO, AFET and FEMM welcomed the France’s ministers, including Julien DENORMANDIE, Minister for Agriculture and Food, Jean-Yves LE DRIAN, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Cédric O, Minister of State for the Digital Transition and Electronic Communication, Elisabeth MORENO, Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities, Elisabeth BORNE, Minister of Labour, Employment and Economic Inclusion, Franck RIESTER, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness and Agnès PANNIER-RUNACHER, Minister Delegate for Industry.

Presentation of the EU Council's priorities by French Ministers: extracts from the EP Committees meetings

Electronics are the fastest growing source of waste in the EU. In 2017, more than 3.5 million tonnes were collected and only 40 % were recycled. In addition to producing less waste, repairing more devices would help us use fewer resources, emit less greenhouse gases and consume less energy. However, according to a Eurobarometer survey, less than one third of consumers say they have repaired a product in the last six months. Options to repair a phone or washing machine can be limited. Sometimes, repairing is costly, it is difficult to find a repair shop, spare parts are lacking or the components are irreplaceable. What are the current measures encouraging consumers to repair their belongings? What can the EU develop to increase the reparability of electronics? ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Reparability: longer-lasting electronics

MEPs want clearer rules on medicines for patients. Ireland's rescue package was up for debate as well as toxic substances in electrical equipment.

25 torthaí

Hemicycle in Strasbourg

Hemicycle in Strasbourg

Man looking at a guitar in a second hand shop for electronics.

Second hand shop for electronics.

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980

Electronic vote during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January 1980