On 14 March 2024, the Bundestag reported that standardised charging cables for mobile phones, cameras and headphones are to be introduced by the end of 2024. With a broad majority of all parliamentary groups, the Bundestag passed a corresponding bill by the federal government "to amend the Radio Equipment Act" (20/9873) (trade-e-bility reported on standardised charging interfaces). Only Die Linke abstained from the vote. The Economic Committee had previously made editorial changes to the original text in the parliamentary procedure (20/10465).
On 26 April 2020, the Federal Council (Bundesrat) approved the amendments to the Radio Equipment Act, paving the way for standardised charging cables. Here is an overview of the key points:
- This affects, for example, wired rechargeable mobile phones and similar technical devices suchas tablets, eBook readers, digital cameras, etc.
- Standardised charging connection (USB-C interface)
- Devices with fast charging function must use the same charging protocol
- Devices must also be sold without a new charger
- Pictograms on packaging indicate whether appliances are equipped with power supply units
The Bundesrat did not refer the objection bill to the Mediation Committee and therefore approved it. It can now be promulgated once it has been finalised and will enter into force one day later.
No time to follow further developments in the field of standardised chargers in detail? trade-e-bility keeps you up to date with the Legal Monitoring Service. This means you only receive the information that is relevant to you and your product. And we help you with the implementation.
Use our Legal Monitoring Fast Lane now!
The trade-e-bility consulting team will also be happy to provide you with solutions for EU product labelling, packaging labelling and, in particular, disposal labelling via beratung@trade-e-bility.de or +49/40/750687-300.
