Another step towards energy efficiency and sustainable technological consumption is made by Europe, approving new eco -design rules for external power supplies (ie chargers and power supplies, used daily in laptops, mobile phones, router and screens.

These rules, which are part of the wider European strategy for a “common charger”, aim not only to reduce energy consumption, but also to increase interoperability and convenience for the user.

Each year, more than 400 million external power supplies are sold to the European Union. This mass use implies an important environmental footprint: from production and use to their rejection. The new rules of the Commission seek to reverse this trend through more efficient and compatible products.

According to the decision, all EPS available on the EU market should have at least one USB Type-C port and operate with detachable cables. This requirement makes the “common EU charger” mandatory feature for a wide range of devices – from smartphones and tablets to laptops and router.

At the same time, stricter energy efficiency standards are introduced, which will reduce the annual power consumption of the power cycle of power supplies by about 3% by 2035, a percentage of energy consuming 140,000 electric cars in one year.

Joint EU charger

The initiative is expected to lead to a 9% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and 13% of pollutants, contributing substantially to the achievement of EU climate objectives. For consumers, practical benefit is just as important: An annual savings of € 100 million is provided by reduced replacement needs and lower energy consumption.

In addition, a new distinctive signal is introduced, the “Common Charger of the EU” logo, which will appear on the devices, which comply with the interoperability rules. In this way, citizens will be able to easily recognize compatible devices and choose sustainability.

Manufacturers will have three years of margin, by the end of 2028, to adjust their processes. This measure complements the revised radio equipment directive, which has already established common rules for charging ports on smartphones, tablets and laptops.

According to the Commission’s estimates, with the implementation of the new regulation, 35% -40% in addition to the EU external power supply market will become interoperable, beyond the 50% already covered by the existing directive.

Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Yernsen stressed: “Adopting common chargers for the devices we use daily is a smart move that prioritizes consumers, while reducing energy waste and emissions. The change we set today will help Europeans save money and reduce our environmental impacts. “

“The electronic devices we use daily will become more efficient, less harmful to the environment and more consumer -friendly, after updating by the Committee of Ecological Planning Requirements for External Power Supplies. “This initiative is part of the European Union’s efforts to move to a common charger for electronic devices”the European Commission says.