Call for evidence on a common charger for electrical devices

Views sought on the introduction across the UK of a common charger for mobile phones and other portable electrical and electronic devices.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has launched a call for evidence introduce common charger measures for certain devices in the United Kingdom.

Recent developments in wired charging technologies and evolving international standards provide potential opportunities to reduce electronic waste and benefit consumers through enabling the adoption of a standardised charger for smartphones and similar devices. The European Union's ‘Common Charger Directive’ will require the use of USB-C based chargers for mobile phones and other portable electrical/electronic devices placed on the EU market from December 2024.

Business, consumer and environmental benefits could be realised through introducing standardised requirements for chargers for certain portable electrical/electronic devices across the whole UK. Views are sought from manufacturers, importers, distributors, and trade associations as to whether it would be helpful to do so and, if so, whether this should be based on USB-C – as adopted by the EU. OPSS also wants to hear about the issues and practicalities a similar approach may involve.

This call for evidence seeks views on the following:

• The potential benefits and costs of introducing these measures.
• The issues and practicalities of the requirements for:
  • a common charger based on USB-C
  • harmonised fast charging
  • unbundling the sale of a charger from the sale of the electrical/electronic device
  • additional labelling and information requirements

The consultation should be of interest to:

• trade associations
• manufacturers
• distributors
• consumers

Find out more about the consultation and how to respond.

First published 20 November 2024.