After EU, India wants companies to offer a common charger for all devices

The government of India is exploring the option of adopting one charger for all devices, including smartphones and tablets. As per reports, the government of India has called a meeting on August 17 to discuss the possibilities.

The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs has also written to industry and other stakeholders, inviting them to brainstorm a plan for having one cable for charging all devices.

A ministry official revealed the government will meet smartphone makers and sector-specific organizations to assess the possibility of ending the use of multiple chargers in India and reducing the burden on consumers besides preventing e-waste.

The ministry's move comes in the backdrop of the concept of LiFE — Lifestyle for the Environment — announced by the Prime Minister at the UN Climate Change Conference (CoP 26) held in Glasgow in November last year. In view of the country's commitment to fight climate change by reducing the emission intensity of the GDP by 45% by 2030, the ministry has taken a step in the direction to reduce electronic waste.

"If companies can serve in Europe and the US, why cannot they do it in India? Portable electronic devices like smartphones and tablets should have a common charger," a senior consumer affairs ministry official told PTI. He also added that if India does not push for this change, the products will be dumped here.

The current setup forces users to buy separate chargers for every device. There are separate chargers for tablets, mobile phones and laptops. Android and iOS have separate chargers.

Meanwhile, Europe, too, has adopted a similar policy and directed all smartphone makers to adopt, one charger policy for all devices, including smartphones and tablets. The policy will go into effect from 2024 in Europe.

In June 2022, the European Council, Commission and Parliament agreed to implement a single mobile charging port for mobile and other devices. "Mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video-game consoles and portable speakers that are rechargeable via a wired cable will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port, regardless of their manufacturer. Laptops will also have to be adapted to the requirements by 40 months after entry into force," the parliament press release read.

Currently Apple stands out from the majority of the rest of mobile devices with its specific 'Lightning' type connector for chargers and since recently for earphones.