Common charging era for electronic devices

The European Union had decided to switch to a standard USB Type-C charging cable for all mobile phones, tablets, and cameras sold starting from December 28, 2024.

According to a report by Türkiye Gazetesi, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) has also prepared a draft regulation on amending the Regulation on Radio Equipment.

According to the draft, mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, portable video game consoles, portable speakers, e-book readers, keyboards, mouse devices, portable navigation systems, earbuds, and laptops will be compatible with USB Type-C. Furthermore, this radio equipment will be manufactured in accordance with the regulations regarding specified charging capabilities. Manufactured chargers will work compatibly with accessories other than those they are bundled with.

CHARGER NOT REQUIRED

The draft also regulates the placing on the market of radio equipment belonging to certain categories and classes without a charger. Accordingly, if economic operators make their equipment available on the market with a charger, they will offer consumers and other end-users the option to purchase the same radio equipment without any charger.

According to the draft, the provisions of the regulation will begin to apply to products such as phones, tablets, and digital cameras starting from December 28, 2024. The provisions of the regulation will apply only to laptops starting from April 28, 2026.

1.12 BILLION TL SAVINGS

Approximately 2.4 billion euros are spent annually on external chargers in EU countries. Discarded and unused chargers create approximately 11 thousand tons of electronic waste per year. With the common charger solution, waste will be reduced by approximately 1,000 tons per year.

The amount consumers pay for chargers reaches 250 million euros. Approximately 15 million mobile phones are sold in Turkey in a year.

A decrease of approximately 1.5 million units is expected in the production of potential waste chargers with the common charger. Considering that the rate is 50%, it is hoped that production will provide savings of approximately 1 billion 125 million liras with about 7.5 million fewer units per year.

News Source: 12punto