Common external power supply

The common external power supply (common EPS) was a specification for a universal charger, made by the European Commission for smartphones sold within the European Union. Although compliance was voluntary, a majority of the world's largest mobile phone manufacturers agreed to make their applicable mobile phones compatible with the specification. The common EPS initiative specified a universal charger (external power supply) that must effectively conform to the USB Battery Charging V1.2 specification and include a cable with a USB 2.0 micro-B connector. The specification EN 62684:2010 was active from 2009 to 2014, and has since been withdrawn as obsolete.

The European Union later passed Radio Equipment Directive 2021/0291, which requires new smartphones to use USB-C by the end of 2024, and laptops by 2026.[1][2]

Purpose
Mobile phone charger plugs

According to the European Commission, a common external power supply / "charger" standard is desirable because,

Incompatibility of chargers for mobile phones is a major environmental problem and an inconvenience for users across the EU. Currently specific chargers are sold together with specific mobile phones. A user who wants to change his/her mobile phone must usually acquire a new charger and dispose the current one, even if this is in perfect condition. This unnecessarily generates important amounts of electronic waste... Harmonising mobile phone chargers will bring significant economic and environmental benefits... Consumers will not need to buy a new charger together with every mobile phone...

— European Commission – FAQ[3]

History

In June 2009, many of the world's largest mobile phone manufacturers signed an EC-sponsored memorandum of understanding (MoU), agreeing to make most new data-enabled mobile phones marketed in the European Union compatible with a to-be-specified common EPS. All signatories agreed to develop a common specification for the EPS "to allow for full compatibility and safety of chargers and mobile phones."[3] 14 mobile phone manufacturers and technology providers signed the MoU – the original 10 signatories, Apple, LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, RIM, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and Texas Instruments as well as Atmel, Emblaze Mobile, Huawei Technologies and TCT Mobile (Alcatel).[4]

To develop and formalize the needed technical standards, the Commission issued a standardisation mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI on a common "charging capability for mobile telephones." In response, CENELEC created a task force to develop the interoperability specifications of a common external power supply. In line with the Dresden agreement signed in 1996 by both CENELEC and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), work was transferred into the IEC.[5]

The standard was published in December 2010 as EN 62684:2010 "Interoperability specifications of common EPS for use with data-enabled mobile telephones" by CENELEC and in January 2011 by the IEC as IEC 62684:2011[6] (international publication was slightly delayed due to French translation) with a technical update to the IEC standard in 2018.[7]

The original Common EPS memorandum of understanding expired at the end of 2012. The Commission reported at the time that all of the fourteen MoU signatories, "have met their obligations under the MoU."[8] Eight of the original MoU signatories signed a 2013 Letter of Intent (LoI) to extend the 2009 MoU another year and, in 2014, five of those companies (Apple, Blackberry, Huawei, Samsung and Sony) again signed a second Letter of Intent, effectively extending the MoU through the end of 2014.

Technical specifications

Reference to USB battery-charging specification

The common EPS specification relies heavily on existing USB electro-mechanical standards – especially the USB Battery Charging Specification. By the mid-2000s, many mobile phone manufacturers (as well as manufacturers of other small battery-powered devices) had already begun designing their products with the ability to use a USB port's 5 V DC power to recharge batteries. The USB Implementers Forum, recognizing this trend, updated the USB standard in 2007 to better accommodate this popular battery-charging application of USB ports, primarily by defining "charging ports" which can provide more current allowing faster re-charging of batteries.[9][10] In November 2010, the IEC signed an agreement with the USB Implementers Forum, which led to the IEC incorporating USB specifications into the IEC 62684:2011 International Standard.

In March 2011, the USB Implementers Forum agreed to allow CENELEC "... to make reference to USB technology in its European Standard EN 62684:2010 and ... to grant download access to USB technical specifications free of charge and at any time to manufacturers implementing this European [common EPS] Standard."[11]

Cabling, connectors and adapters
EU common external power supply components
EU common external power supply with captive cable

A common EPS must include a cable with a micro USB-B (2.0) connector for connecting to a mobile phone. This cable can be either captive (permanently attached to the power supply) or detachable. If detachable, the cable must connect to the power supply via a standard USB type-A plug.[12]

The MoU which defines the common external power supply as well as the related EC standardisation mandate both allow for the use of the common external power supply also with phones not equipped with a micro-USB receptacle. "... [MoU] 4.2.1 ... if a manufacturer makes available an Adaptor from the Micro-USB connector of a Common EPS to a specific non-Micro-USB socket in the Mobile Phone, it shall constitute compliance to this article" and, "... An Adaptor can also be a detachable cable."[13][14]

The type of AC "plug" provided on a common EPS can vary depending on the intended market of use. "Per regulatory requirements for each market. ... preferred supplied input voltage range should be at least 90–264 V" (100–240 V ± 10%).[12]

Reception

The common EPS initiative was generally well received by the public, although at least one European consumer group bemoaned the voluntary nature and narrow scope of the initiative (as it applies only to mobile phones and only those that are "handheld" and "data-enabled") and the fact that the EU's EPS specification does not set aggressive energy efficiency no-load consumption requirements.[15][16]

Some observers, noting Apple's continued use of proprietary, non-micro USB charging ports on their smartphones, suggested Apple was not in compliance with the 2009 Common EPS Memorandum of Understanding. The European Commission however, confirmed that all MoU signatories, "have met their obligations under the MoU,"[8] stating specifically, "Concerning Apple's previous and present proprietary connectors and their compatibility with the agreement, the MoU allows for the use of an adaptor without prescribing the conditions for its provision"[17] and "The Commission does not have evidence that Apple has breached the [MoU] agreement. The iPhone 5 can be used with an adaptor allowing it to be connected to the common charger."[18]

Later European legislation
Further information: Radio Equipment Directive (2022)

In a 2013 amendment to a "Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament … relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment", the European Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection included a recommendation for "... A renewed effort to develop a common charger ... [being] highly desirable and consequently ... beneficial in particular for consumers and other end-users." The parliamentary proposal applies to all radio equipment (any "product which intentionally emits or receives radio waves for communication") including mobile phones, tablet computers, car door openers, modems, etc.[19][20] Yet, the draft law (Directive 2014/53/EU[21]), approved overwhelmingly by the European Parliament on 13 March 2014, stipulates that it will be up to the European Commission to decide which specific types of radio equipment will have to be compatible with common chargers.[22] Once formally approved by the Council of Ministers, member states will have two years to transpose the new regulations into national laws and manufacturers will have an additional year after that to comply.[23][24]

In January 2020, the European Parliament passed a resolution, calling upon the European Commission to adopt rules on the mandatory introduction of common chargers for all mobile devices.[25] Specifically the resolution calls upon the European Commission to, "...take action to introduce the common charger by adopting the delegated act supplementing Directive 2014/53/EU on radio equipment defining a standard for a common charger for mobile phones and other small and medium-sized radio equipment by July 2020, or, if necessary, by adopting a legislative measure by July 2020 at the latest;..."[26]

In September 2021, the European Commission adopted a proposal to for a new directive, to update the existing Directive 2014/53/EU.[27][28] The directive was approved by the European Parliament and Council of the European Union.[28] The resulting directive, Radio Equipment Directive 2021/0291 requires all hand-held items sold from 2024 onward to have and be able to charge via a USB Type-C port.[29] Manufacturers would also be required to offer consumers the option of purchasing their devices without any charging device.[30]

Similar regional and global industry initiatives for mobile phone charging
Main article: Universal charger

Other mobile phone power supply and charging standards have been implemented in other parts of the world (e.g., Korea and China). Proposals for a global/industry-wide mobile phone charging solution have also been promoted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and by industry organizations GSMA and OMTP. The ITU and the GSMA/OMTP proposals are very similar to the European Common EPS and Chinese charger standards although the GSMA/OMTP proposal is less flexible and has not been adopted by as many phone manufacturers as has the EU standard.

See also

References
  1. Gerken, Tom (12 December 2022). "December 2024 set as date for universal phone charger in EU". BBC News. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  2. Satariano, Adam (7 June 2022). "Europe wants to help clear out your drawer full of chargers". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  3. "Harmonisation of a charging capability of common charger for mobile phones – frequently asked questions" (Press release). European Commission. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  4. "One mobile phone charger for all". European Commission. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  5. "The Dresden agreement is undergoing revision". www.eurogip.fr. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
  6. "One size-fits-all mobile phone charger: IEC publishes first globally relevant standard". International Electrotechnical Commission. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  7. "Interoperability specifications of common external power supply (EPS) for use with data-enabled mobile telephones". International Electrotechnical Commission. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  8. "Tajani: Common charger for small electronic devices". EC Enterprise & Industry Magazine. 25 April 2013. Archived from the original on 5 August 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  9. USB Battery Charging specification released in March 2007 (version 1.0) with updates in 2009 (version 1.1) and 2010 (version 1.2) permits appropriately designed USB devices to, "... draw current in excess of the USB 2.0 specification for charging and/or powering up ..."
  10. "USB-IF Enhances Battery Charging Capabilities with New Spec" (PDF). 17 April 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  11. "Agreement reached on the Micro-USB connector and the standard for the common mobile charger..." (PDF). 1 March 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  12. "Annex II, Technical Annex to MoU regarding the Harmonisation of a Charging Capability for Mobile Phones" (PDF). 12 January 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  13. "MoU regarding Harmonisation of a Charging Capability for Mobile Phones" (PDF). 5 June 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  14. "Standardisation mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI on a common Charging Capability for Mobile Telephones" (PDF). 1 October 2009. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  15. "The universal charger: not quite universal yet" (PDF). 29 December 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  16. "Memorandum of Understanding on common mobile charger delivers three years on". digitaleurope. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  17. "Answer given by Mr Tajani on behalf of the Commission". European Parliament. 21 August 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  18. "Answer given by Mr Tajani on behalf of the Commission". European Parliament. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  19. "Radio equipment: harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market". European Parliament / Legislative Observatory. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  20. "Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment' ..." Publications Office of the European Union. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  21. "Directive 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament..." Publications Office of the European Union. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  22. "MEPs push for common charger for all mobile phones | News | European Parliament". www.europarl.europa.eu. 13 March 2014.
  23. "Europe reaches deal on common mobile phone battery charger". reuters.com. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  24. "Common charger for all mobile phones on the way". European Parliament. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  25. "Call to introduce common charger for all mobile phones | 13-01-2020 | News | European Parliament". www.europarl.europa.eu.
  26. "2019/2983(RSP) – 2020 January 30, Text adopted by Parliament". European Parliament, Legislative Observatory. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  27. "One to charge them all: EU demands single plug for phones". Associated Press. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  28. Šajn, Nikolina (20 March 2023) [2020-03-20]. "Common chargers for mobile phones and similar devices". Legislative Train Schedule. European Parliament.
  29. "ANNEX to the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2014/53/EU..." 23 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  30. "Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Directive 2014/53/EU..." 23 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.

USB battery charging:

EU common External Power Supply:

EU Future Directions

Other (non-EU) initiatives:

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