Previously, the European Union had given phone makers until December 2024 to switch to USB Type-C as a common charging port, while giving laptop makers more time to do so.
In order to reduce e-waste generated by discarded electronic products and to protect consumers’ interests, the Union government is likely to make universal charging port mandatory for all electronic devices. Echoing the European Union, India is expected to require all smartphone makers to adopt USB Type-C as the standard charging port by 2024-2025. Previously, the European Union had given phone makers until December 28, 2024 to switch to USB Type-C as a common charging port. Similarly, the Consumer Ministry in India is considering mandating two types of common charging ports — a USB Type-C charger for mobile phones, smartphones and tablets, and another common charger for portable electronic devices — according to Union Ministry Secretary for Consumer Affairs Rohit Kumar Singh told PTI on Monday December 26th.
Discussing the launch timeline, Rohit Kumar Singh told PTI that India needs to align with the December 2024 EU timeline as mobile phone makers have a global supply chain and not just ship to India. However, according to The Economic Times, he said the directive is expected to come into force around three months after the EU’s deadline, towards the end of March 2025.
“The goal is to reduce the number of chargers per household and thereby minimize the amount of e-waste generated,” Rohit Kumar Singh said, according to The Economic Times. The move follows the European Union’s directive earlier this year mandating USB Type-C charging ports for all electronic devices. According to the EU directive, all smartphone manufacturers have until December 28, 2024 to introduce a common charging cable. Laptop manufacturers would also have to do the same by 2026.
In a press release on the new law in October, the European Parliament stated that “[by] By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU must be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will also extend to laptops.” This means that even iPhones made by Apple that use a separate charger will have to switch to the universal charging connector and cable to sell their devices in the EU after the deadline can. Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said in an interview that the company had no choice but to stick to the mandate.
The Indian government has also presented a plan to standardize charging ports used by smartphones, laptops, tablets and other portable electronic devices. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is responsible for quality certification of electronic devices and gadgets, will take steps to standardize charging standards. The BIS recently released quality standards for the USB Type-C charging port.
