SINGAPORE (October 11, 2023) – To curb e-waste and save consumers money, European Union (EU) countries passed a law mandating a single standard for chargers. SK Tes, an international leader in IT asset disposition (ITAD) and technology lifecycle solutions, sees the new rules potentially spurring a short-term increase in e-waste and a longer-term ripple of similar measures in other countries.
SK Tes is a global company specializing in sustainable technology lifecycle solutions to assist clients in the deployment, decommissioning, retirement, and disposition of devices, including resale and end-of-life recycling.
The charger standardization law addresses the problem of how mobile phones, laptops, and other devices commonly use different types of chargers. Over time, consumers accumulate a tangled jungle of obsolete cables. Under the new EU law, 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. The law will apply to laptop computers by spring 2026.
This law also applies to Lightning-type docks and a range of other devices and peripherals, including e-readers, headphones, keyboards, mice, portable speakers, and GPS navigation devices. All fast-charging devices will have the same charging speed. As a result, consumers will be able to use one charger for a range of devices, eliminating the need to buy multiple chargers. Standardized cables may also increase the resale or redeployment of electronic devices.
Lawmakers expect the regulations to save consumers up to 250 million euros annually on unnecessary charger purchases and reduce some 11,000 metric tons of e-waste each year.
“It's crucial that lawmakers and industry stakeholders continue to engage on legislative developments for e-waste management. We have an opportunity to develop regulations that contribute to a circular economy for electronics,” said SK Tes CCO Eric Ingebretsen. “This requires discussion and collaboration throughout the supply chain to understand the complexities of transboundary waste movements, design for reuse and recycling, and internationally acceptable legislation.”
With its global scope and end-to-end IT lifecycle management capabilities, SK Tes is positioned to help companies navigate the complex landscape of existing regulations and mitigate their effects on business plans and processes.
For example, SK Tes notes the new EU regulations may have unintended consequences. While the charger standardization law is intended to reduce e-waste, it may lead to a short-term increase. Manufacturers may recycle their existing non-compliant inventory or switch to wireless charging technology, potentially creating more e-waste. SK Tes helps OEMs responsibly recycle equipment in such situations.
The EU law highlights the evolving nature of e-waste management. Similar to how GDPR became a global standard, this legislation could influence regulations worldwide. However, e-waste regulations vary in scope. The EU’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive applies to its member nations, while the Basel Convention treaty regulates hazardous waste globally. Non-ratifying countries like the U.S. must negotiate individual agreements for waste shipments.
“The new EU law is just the latest iteration of the challenging ecosystem of international regulations that today’s global OEMs have to manage,” Ingebretsen said. “Global ITAD and e-waste recycling companies like SK Tes can help organizations navigate the growing complexity of international compliance.”
Does your organization need help navigating compliance for e-waste and ITAD management? Contact us today!