After years of squabbling: universal charger for smartphones and tablets should be a fact in summer 2024

According to Saliba, the MPs have succeeded in extending the obligation to a total of 15 product categories. The rule will therefore not only apply to smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets and portable speakers and game consoles, but also, for example, to smartwatches, e-readers and earplugs. Laptops are also taken. An additional transition period until 2026 applies to this product. In addition, the Commission is asked to work on standardizing wireless charging.

Consumers will no longer be obliged to buy a charger or cable with every new device. Consumers now spend 2.4 billion euros annually on chargers. The new rule would save them 250 million euros. 1,000 tons less waste would also be produced. At present, removed and unused chargers still account for 11,000 tons of electronic waste every year.

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