In adopting (by 43 votes in favour, 2 against) the report by Alex Saliba (S&D, Malta) on Wednesday 20 April, MEPs on the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) want to extend the scope of the directive on common chargers, and speed up its transposition and revision to take account of market developments and new technologies.
“We are proposing a truly comprehensive policy intervention, building on the Commission’s proposal by calling for the interoperability of wireless charging technologies by 2026 and improving information given to consumers with dedicated labels”, the rapporteur told EUROPE. Most importantly, “We are also expanding the proposal’s scope by adding more products, such as laptops, that will need to comply with the new rules”.
MEPs have hereby put in writing the major convergences already expressed in December (see EUROPE 12845/7). They are extending the scope of the proposal by adding new products, such as laptops, e-readers, earpieces, keyboards, mice, displays, printers, portable browsers, digital radios, electronic toys, smartwatches, wearable ‘trackers’, personal care devices, sports and lighting equipment (as long as they are compatible with USB Type-C).
MEPs are also calling on the European Commission to carry out a thorough evaluation of the directive by December 2026 to include additional categories of equipment. In addition they want the Commission to work on interoperable charging solutions for all USB Type-C incompatible equipment. By this deadline, MEPs want the EU institution to equally address the issue of wireless technologies in the light of the scientific and technological progress made by then.
They also clarified the mandatory information requirements to be provided to end-users through packaging, labels and graphics prior to the sale of the product, to indicate whether or not the charger is included in the box, as well as the minimum/maximum power required by the radio equipment.
The transposition period was reduced by MEPs from 12 to 9 months compared to what the Commission had proposed. A separate review article has been added so that the Commission will evaluate all new elements every 3 years and propose changes, if necessary.
The EU Council adopted its position at the end of January, when it reinforced the quality of consumer information (see EUROPE 12877/8). Inter-institutional negotiations should be able to start after the next plenary session in May.
To see the compromise amendments (all adopted): https://aeur.eu/f/1al (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)