What They Say
After a long period of thought (EU Wants to Standardise PSUs), the EU Parliament, Council and the European Commission have agreed that a single connector should be used for charging mobile devices – smartphones, but also laptops, e-readers, earbuds, keyboards, computer mice, and portable navigation devices are also included in addition to smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers.
There will also be legislation over the right of consumers to buy without a charger and also about wireless charging compatibility and labelling.
The agreement still has to go through a formal legal process and will then need to be implemented by individual countries. It is likely to come into effect in 2024.
What We Think
Apple, of course, grumbled that this would reduce the potential for innovation and higher revenues and profits. I have some sympathy with the view, but the environmental and cost savings are substantial. I hate that I have boxes and boxes of old electronic equipment that has simply been superseded and this should reduce that waste at least a little. However, not all chargers will be equal so we will still probably buy smaller and/or faster chargers. (BR)
