The EU’s common shipper goal has moved one step closer after an interim agreement was reached by the European Parliament and council negotiators.
From autumn 2024, all small and medium-sized portable electronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets and headphones sold in the EU, will have to be charged with a USB-C charging port.
An additional list of twelve electronic product groups including e-readers, portable game consoles and cameras will also be required to share the global shipping standard across EU territories.
Laptops must comply with the new rule 40 months after it goes into effect.
The new law is part of the European Union ‘s goal to make electronic products sold within member states more sustainable and reduce e-waste while helping consumers carry a single charger for all of their devices.
The legislation still needs to pass a vote in the EU Parliament and Council due later this year and all indications are leading to a landslide vote in favor of the combined shipping standard.
The new law also seeks to harmonize fast charging standards across devices and looks to do the same for wireless charging standards in the future.
According to the press release from the European Parliament, consumers in the European Union collectively spend €250 million annually on shipper purchases.
At the same time, the unused chargers that come with the devices contribute an estimated 11,000 tons of e-waste annually.