This Monday, August 26, Congress dispatched law the initiative that establishes a universal and standard charger for different devices such as cell phonestablets and portable consoles, regardless of their brand or operating system (iPhone or Android), do you know which is the only model that can be sold from now on?
The initiative also established that when purchasing one of these devices, the option of purchasing the devices with a charging device or separately should be offered, but the sale of one cannot be tied to the sale of the other.
The only type of universal charger for cell phones in Chile
Although the standard format has not been indicated, For now, the universal charger that can be sold in Chile will be of the USB-C or type C type. . This would leave aside other options such as the mini-USB or Apple’s Lightning connector.
The same way, the recently approved law He says that companies will be responsible for ensuring that different devices and chargers can be used independently of the device or brand. Thus, for example, an iPhone can be charged with a charger that is valid for other brands that use operating systems such as Android and vice versa, something that does not happen today.
In turn, Companies will have the obligation to adequately inform customers whether the device includes the charger or not.Marketers must also offer consumers the option of purchasing them together or separately, but not make the purchase of one of them conditional on the purchase of the other, i.e. tied sales.
Why is it not yet known if the universal charger will be type C?
According to the approved law, It will be a regulation dictated by the Ministry of Economy in charge of set the categories or classes of universal charger along with the technical specifications for each.
As stated, The Type C charger is the most used in Chile and in much of the world.both for cell phones, speakers, headphones and other electronic devices that work with wire, so it is speculated that the logical thing would be to establish that model.
Within the classes or categories of products, the regulation should at least include mobile telephone devices and laptop computers.
Since when will the measure be valid in our country?
According to the standard that indicates The type of universal charger that can be marketed in Chile will have a period of 2 years from its publication in the Official Gazette to come into force in the case of mobile cell phones, and up to 4 for other types of electronic devices.
If companies fail to comply, they may be exposed to fines of up to 300 UTM, approximately $20 million, per violation.
