Can you have a common charger for your mobile, Tablet and laptops? In the near future, it is possible with the Government of India exploring the possibility of of having a single charger for all the devises. As part of the drill, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs has called the stakeholders in the industry on August 17 to assess the possibility of ending the use of multiple chargers in India and reduce the burden on consumers besides preventing e-waste.
COMMON CHARGER; GOVERNMENT INTENTION
In June 2022, the European Union announced the adoption of a single mobile charging port for mobile phones, tablets and cameras. This is the first announcement in the world. The EU had pushed for a single mobile charging port more than a decade ago. The US is also muling the idea of having a single charger for all devices.
The government of India moves comes in the backdrop of the concept of LiFE — Lifestyle for the Environment — announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modiat the UN Climate Change Conference (CoP 26) held in Glasgow in November last year.
Moreover, the as per the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the Government is committed to reducing the emission intensity of the GDP by 45 per cent by 2030.
COMMON CHARGER; THE MEETING
Consumer affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh in the letter addressed to the stake holders highlighted the importance of having a single charger for all the devices. It said that a large number of consumers in the country use small and medium sized portable electronic devices that have a USB Type-C charging port. Apart from this a substantial number of consumers also use feature phones which have a different charging port. In such a sitaution, the secretary in the letter is slated to have said that it is time to explore a framework of adopting ‘only two’ types of charging points. One charging point for small and medium size devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, earbuds speakers and other for feature phones, the ministry said in the letter.
It also said thyat the consumer is forced to buy a new charger everytime he buys a new phone due to incompatibility of the ports of the existing charger with the charging port. The consumer affairs ministry also referred to the European Union announcement while seeking feedback from the industry.
COMMON CHARGER; THE INDUSTRY
Some of the stakeholders and representatives invited are as below
Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM); Electronics Products Innovation Consortium (EPIC) Foundation; Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT); Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA); Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI); Confederation of Indian Industry (CII); Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA); Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur; the Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi; and the India Cellular & Electronics Association have also been invited.
Meanwhile reports said that Apple could face a challenge if India goes with its policy of single charger. Apple has included the lightning port in iPhones for years, despite the fact that practically all Android phones today include a Type-C port. True wireless ear buds also contain a Type-C connection, allowing them to be charged with a standard charger, just like a number of laptops.
