Following in the European Union’s footsteps of mandating USB Type C chargers for all electronics, the Indian government, too, is planning to adopt Type-C as the standard charging port for electronic products by March 2025. Keeping in mind the interest of the consumers and to reduce e-waste, the Department of Consumer Affairs plans to introduce two types of charging ports. A USB Type C charger for smartphones and tablets and another for electronic wearable devices.
Rohit Kumar Singh, secretary of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, said that “there is a global supply chain at play when it comes to chargers. Therefore, we have to align ourselves with the global timeline.” This mandate aims to reduce the number of chargers per household. Thereby minimising the amount of e-waste generated, he added.
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Why Common Charging Ports For Electronics?
The uniformity in the charging ports is a step towards LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). A mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP-26. The mission focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindful and wasteful consumption’ by people worldwide. Moreover, it plans to create and nurture a global network of individuals known as ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3). Who will share the same objective to adopt and promote environmentally friendly lifestyles. Moreover, mandating standard charging ports is a step to reduce the growing e-waste in the environment.
For this, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)- responsible for quality certifications of electronics and gadgets in the country, is formalising the charging standards in the country.
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Replaceable Batteries on Smartphones
After mandating standard charging ports for all electronics, the European Union is now planning to mandate the use of replaceable batteries on portable devices. The main objective behind this mandate will be to reduce the propagation of electronic waste by reusing components of gadgets we use every day. Companies will be granted 3.5 years to figure out new tech and comply with it.
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The EU law aims to change the life cycle of battery production and design altogether. This law can help get 16 per cent of Cobalt, 85 per cent of Lead. 6 per cent of Lithium and 6 per cent of contained Nickel from recycling. However, this will affect the battery compositions but also ensures that batteries can be swapped for long-lasting usage life. This mandate of replaceable batteries may bring the end of sealed battery designs. Moreover, the Union Environment Ministry may conduct an impact study to assess and examine the possible impact of uniform charging ports in electronic devices concerning e-waste.
