Wed, Nov 22nd 2023
In Switzerland, everyone should be able to use the same charger for different cell phones, laptops or tablets from different manufacturers. The Federal Council is introducing USB-C as the uniform national standard from the beginning of 2024.
Other devices with radio components such as e-readers, headphones and digital cameras are also included in the requirement. To this end, the national government approved the revision of the Ordinance on Telecommunications Installations (FAV) on Wednesday, as announced by the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) on Wednesday.
Devices should also be able to be charged quickly using the “USB Power Delivery” standard if required. Manufacturers must inform consumers about the charging properties of the device and whether a charger is included. Manufacturers are also obliged to offer devices without a charger in their product ranges.
At the end of 2022, the European Union (EU) issued harmonized regulations for charging solutions for the aforementioned devices and gave the member states around one year to implement corresponding measures. With the partial revision of the FAV, the introduction in Switzerland will take place at the same time. This means that the agreement between Switzerland and the EU on the mutual recognition of conformity assessments will continue to apply to telecommunications equipment, Bakom announced.
This would also result in advantages for consumers in Switzerland, who could also benefit from a uniform charging standard across borders, the statement continued. Switzerland also shares the sustainability and consumer goals associated with the uniform charging solution. This solution would also help to reduce electronic waste, raw material requirements and CO2 emissions during the production, transportation and disposal of electrical appliances.
According to the press release, further adjustments concerned the regulations for radio equipment to ensure public safety as well as the fee regulations in the satellite sector and for broadband, local private networks.
©Keystone/SDA
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