Parliament debates the new law establishing a single charging solution for mobile phones, tablets and other portable electronics in the EU. From autumn 2024, a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras and headphones, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. This law is part of a broader effort to make products in the EU more sustainable, reduce e-waste and make consumers’ lives easier. Extracts from the debate, extracts from the vote and illustration shots.

statement

debate

plenary session

vote

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

consumers' protection (T)

VESTAGER, Margrethe (DK, CE)

standardisation (T)

AGIUS SALIBA, Alex (S&D, MT)

Radio Equipment Directive - common charger for electronic devices: extracts from the debate, from the vote and illustration shots

Title: Radio Equipment Directive: common charger for electronic devices: extracts from the debate and extracts from the vote (I-230795)

SOUNDBITE (English), Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&amp;D, MT), Rapporteur, Today is a great day for consumers, a great day for our environment. This is the past and this is the present. After more than a decade, the single charger for multiple electronic devices will finally become a reality, a reality in Europe. And hopefully we can also inspire the rest of the world.

SOUNDBITE (English), Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&amp;D, MT), Rapporteur, Every year, more than 400 million new phones, small electronic devices and chargers are sold in Europe alone. Ten years ago, when the idea of a common charger came to life, there were more than 30 different chargers on the market. And here we are speaking only on mobile phones.

SOUNDBITE (English), Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&amp;D, MT), Rapporteur,<b> </b>The simplest solutions are often the best and most practical ones.<em></em> And the simple solution each year will save thousands of tons of electronic waste, facilitate the use of old electronics, better consumer convenience, reduce unnecessary costs, and also help to save millions of euros. And that is why we are here today.

SOUNDBITE (English), Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&amp;D, MT), Rapporteur, By autumn 2024, USB type-c will become the common charging port for smartphones, e-readers, earbuds, keyboards, computer mice, portable navigation devices, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video, video game consoles, and also portable speakers. USB Type-C will also become the common charging port for all our laptops, including note notebooks, portables, hybrids and netbooks.

SOUNDBITE (English), Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&amp;D, MT), Rapporteur, By the beginning of 2026, On wireless charging yet again, this has been another priority of the Internal Market Committee. It was important for us to propose a future proof solution, so we will leave no back room doors open. This is why the Commission, with the help of European standardisation organisations, will develop in 24 months an appropriate standard also for wireless technologies.

SOUNDBITE (English), Margrethe VESTAGER, vicepresident of the European Commission, The common charger will simplify the lives of Europeans. No more obsolete charges piling up in drawers, reducing costs for European citizens. No need to buy a charger for each device. And this will represent savings of at least &euro;250 million annually. Last but not least, it will contribute to the reduction of more than a thousand tonnes of waste every year. So it's a lot.

SOUNDBITE (English), Margrethe VESTAGER, vicepresident of the European Commission, But the Parliament has also agreed to a transition period of 24 months after the entry into force for all devices and 14 months for laptop. Because these transition periods also allows for manufacturers to adjust their supply chains to adapt to the legislation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, announcement of the result of the vote (5 shots)

Results: 602 votes in favor, 13 against and 8 abstentions.

People using common chargers with their laptops, cell phones and tablets (3 shots)