The National Communications Commission’s (NCC) is to follow the EU’s lead on making charging via USB-C port mandatory for all new phones, to ensure consumers’ convenience and electronic waste reduction, the agency’s annual legislative plan shows.
The EU lawmakers last year voted to adopt a directive to make the USB-C port for wired charging mandatory on all future smartphones sold in the bloc, including new iPhones, effective from Dec. 28 next year.
The NCC has previewed its legislation plan and inventory of regulations, including the planned amendment to the Technical Specifications for Mobile Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (行動通信終端設備技術規範), in accordance with the EU’s newly adopted directive.
Photo: AFP
The amendment is expected to be proposed in June next year and promulgated in December next year.
NCC Department of Infrastructure section head Hsieh Chih-chang (謝志昌) yesterday said that as the EU is to implement the new directive regarding the use of USB-C port from Dec. 28 next year, the NCC would follow the EU’s lead to be in line with the international standards and all telecommunication terminal equipment in Taiwan would be required to pass the council’s examination.
Having a universal charging port has two advantages: the convenience of the consumers and reducing electronic waste, Hsieh said.
The NCC’s telecommunication terminal equipment examinations has three levels: telecom interface, electromagnetic compatibility and electrical safety, Hsieh said, adding that bad quality cables could pose a fire hazard, and the commission evaluates such risks as well.
The existing regulations allow chargers to have USB-A or USB-C ports and smartphones to have micro USB, USB-C or Lightning ports, he said, adding that with the planned amendments, only phones with a USB-C port would be approved.
Lightning ports were previously used on iPhones, and micro USB is an old technology that is not used as often as in the past, Hsieh said.
As the sale of products that previously got NCC approval is to be allowed, people do not need to worry about changing their phones or chargers, he said.
The EU regulations are to apply to laptops too, but 16 months later than phones, Hsieh said, adding that the Ministry of Economic Affairs is to decide whether Taiwan would regulate laptop chargers.
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