UK Should Mirror EU Single Charger Standard

Alyn Smith MP has called on the UK Government to adopt recently passed EU legislation, covering the requirement for a common electrical device charger across the EU Single Market – a move which could save European consumers hundreds of millions of Euros and prevent around 11,000 tonnes of annual electronic waste.

The European Parliament decision does not apply to the UK due to Brexit, although questions remain over the law’s utility in Northern Ireland due to the active Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

In a letter to Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Mr Smith argued UK consumers shouldn’t miss out on the benefits of a common standard moving forward.

Stirling MP Alyn Smith added:

‘This is entirely sensible legislation designed to reduce electronic waste, consumer expense and ease complexity for businesses. The European Union and its predecessors were founded to harmonise trading standards and rights, and it would be a great opportunity lost for UK citizens and businesses if the UK Government refused to implement similar plans. 

‘I await the Secretary of State’s reply, and hope we can put ideological imperatives to one side in this rather straightforward example of a common standard benefit.’

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