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Legislators mull creation of ‘universal charging cord’ standards to reduce electronic waste

Devices and Charging Cords Photo: GI

*The US lawmakers alleged the electronics manufacturers are producing consumer goods that rapidly become obsolete and require replacing, as the planned obsolescence causes financial stress and 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually from discarded and unused chargers

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

If you have been using electronic devices for a while, you have likely got a box full of Lightning ports, USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, Micro-USB cables, and others needed to charge your devices over time.

However, recent research findings showed that electronic consumers own an average of three different charging devices, yet 40 percent of them disclosed they have been unable to locate a “compatible charger” to power up their devices.

ConsumerConnect gathered in a move to fix the problem, therefore, three United States (US) Senators have approached Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo with a plan to implement uniform charging accessory standards.

Sens. Ed Markey, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren pitched Raimondo their theory that electronics manufacturers are producing consumer goods that rapidly become obsolete and require replacing, agency report said.

The US lawmakers stated that the planned obsolescence causes financial stress and 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually from discarded and unused chargers.

In appreciating the European Union (EU), in view of a recent action by the block, the Senators admitted that they took their inspiration for the idea from the EU.

The EU recently decided to limit manufacturers to a charger for frequently used small- and medium-sized portable electronic devices, according to report.

It also said consumers should be given the option to choose whether they want to purchase a new device with or without a charging device

The lawmakers wrote in their letter to Secretary Raimondo: “We commend the Department of Commerce for the steps it has already taken to address these issues, and we urge you to follow the EU’s lead by developing a comprehensive strategy to address unnecessary consumer costs, mitigate e-waste, and restore sanity and certainty to the process of purchasing new electronics.”

They also stated: “(The EU’s) policy has the potential to significantly reduce e-waste and help consumers who are tired of having to rummage through junk drawers full of tangled chargers to find a compatible one, or buy a new one.

“The EU has wisely acted in the public interest by taking on powerful technology companies over this consumer and environmental issue. The United States should do the same.”

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