India to Enforce USB-C Uniformed Chargers

Ministry of Consumer Affairs of India detailed legislation to enforce the adoption of a uniform charging port to curb e-waste and push effective implementation. The move will mirror a proposal made last month by the EU.

The ministry explained in a statement that a task force had been assigned to examine plans to adopt USB-C for devices including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. During a meeting between the task force and industry associations, India’s consumer affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh called for the consideration of deploying uniform charging ports in the interest of consumer welfare and prevention of avoidable e-waste.

India’s plans will cover feature phones, with wearable devices including earbuds and smartwatches also in the crosshairs. The ministry stated its proposal in line with a call by Prime Minister to carefully consider wasteful consumption made during the United Nations’ COP26 climate change conference in 2021.