An impact assessment study commissioned by the European Commission favours a combination of two options: allowing only cable assemblies with a USB Type-C connector at the device end and ensuring the interoperability of all external power supplies for mobile phones and other low-voltage electronic devices.
Nevertheless, according to the study—which has been eagerly awaited by the European Parliament (see EUROPE 12415/10)—there is no “optimal” option, be it for consumers or for the environment. The authors of the study note, for example, that the convergence towards USB Type-C connectors and USB PD-compatible fast-charging technologies “is expected to occur anyway”.
The document considers that a delegated act “could be envisaged” but that “there remains an element of uncertainty regarding its scope that would necessitate further careful legal analysis”. Moreover, it points to “strong opposition from at least one major manufacturer [i.e., Apple]”, which could compromise the viability of this option. Furthermore, the authors of the study (Ipsos, Trinomics, Fraunhofer Fokus, and Economisti Associati) note that interoperability of the majority of external power supplies already exists.
Mandatory decoupling? According to the study, these options have the potential to mitigate adverse environmental effects “to some extent” by facilitating “voluntary decoupling”, meaning that chargers would no longer be sold with mobile phones. “However, the extent to which this would occur in practice is highly uncertain, and the ineffectiveness of the first (2009) MoU in this respect raises serious doubts that decoupling would follow automatically from the standardisation of chargers (especially connectors) alone”, it clarifies. According to the document, additional measures would thus need to be taken in order to facilitate decoupling.
To consult the study in its entirety: http://bit.ly/39xvvtm (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)