“This is proof that Europe can simplify life”, according to Geoffroy Didier, former MEP, rapporteur of the text in the European Parliament

The former MEP recalls, on franceinfo, that chargers generated “11,000 tonnes of electronic waste per year on the European continent alone”.

“The story of the universal charger is proof that Europe can simplify life, can go as far as practical details, but for the good of our fellow citizens”declared Saturday December 28, on franceinfo, the former European deputy Geoffroy Didier. From today, all electronic devices sold new in France such as smartphones, tablets, headphones or even e-readers must now be powered by a single charger, type USB-C. The decree which comes into force on Saturday arises from a European directive adopted in 2022.

“These chargers that we left in our cupboards or were forced to throw away caused 11 000 tonnes of electronic waste per year on the European continent alone”pointed out the former LR MEP, the equivalent of “weight of the Eiffel Tower”. “It is a very ecological measure. What we have done is good news for the planet, it is not only good news for us consumers, it is also good news for our future”he explained. “The role of a political leader is to preserve the rights, but also the interests of consumers in the face of the commercial interest of private brands”he continued.

Discussed for several years, the standard has already been widely adopted by electronic device manufacturers. “Some companies clearly had a financial interest in keeping chargers that were not compatible with other people's devices or that were not compatible with devices of their own brand, but of a previous generation”underlined Geoffroy Didier. But Apple, which has been equipping its iPhones with “lightning” chargers developed by the Californian brand since 2012, has been marketing its new model, the iPhone 15, equipped with a USB-C port since 2023.