2024-08-27 22:53:33
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- This initiative establishes that companies must guarantee common interoperability between the devices and their charging equipment, through a compatible communication interface and protocol.
- SERNAC valued this initiative as it strengthens the right to free choice and environmental protection.
On Monday, August 26, the Chamber of Deputies approved the amendments introduced by the Senate, making the project that establishes the use of a universal charger for technological devices a law.
This initiative mandates the use of a standardized universal charger for different types of electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, and portable game consoles, both wired and wireless.
Thus, the new regulation establishes that companies must guarantee common interoperability between the devices and their charging equipment, through a compatible charging interface and communication protocol.
Additionally, the law states that companies selling mobile devices must offer consumers the option to purchase their technological devices with or without charging equipment, without being able to tie or condition the acquisition of one to the other in any way.
It also mandates that companies must inform consumers adequately and promptly whether the charging device is included or not and provide other specifications related to compatible charging devices.
The National Director of SERNAC, Andrés Herrera, who actively participated in the processing of this initiative by attending committees to provide the institutional perspective on its implications, highlighted the benefits this law will bring to consumers, including the strengthening of the right to freely choose goods and services, avoiding tied sales of charging devices with the acquisition of technological devices.
“This law is a step towards more sustainable consumption as it will allow consumers to opt not to acquire new charging devices, which will help reduce electronic waste production,” the authority indicated.
Herrera also added that this regulation will allow for the future standardization of other types of charging, such as wireless charging via NFC.
“This regulation aligns our country with European regulations in this area and implies simplification in the use of electronic devices and equipment, contributing to reducing technological waste and decreasing unnecessary costs,” Herrera explained.
Furthermore, the authority appreciated that with this new regulation, companies will have to market devices with or without chargers or power adapter plugs, prohibiting tied sales.
In case of non-compliance with these provisions, companies may face fines of up to 300 UTM, which is about 20 million pesos for each violation.
These new obligations will come into effect within two years from the publication of the law in the Official Gazette for mobile telephone devices and four years for other mobile information and telecommunications devices.
