Government proposes adoption of amendments to Act on Electronic Communication Services: aim to harmonise charging receptacles

The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve the amendments to the Act on Electronic Communication Services. The proposal will implement the amendments to the Radio Equipment Directive in Finland that will harmonise the charging of e.g. mobile phones and tablets.

The aims are to prevent fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, to improve consumer convenience and to reduce electrical and electronic waste.

In practice, by the end of 2024 all mobile phones, tablets and digital cameras sold in the EU area must have a USB Type-C charging receptacle. From spring 2026 onwards, the requirement will also apply to laptops. These changes mean that consumers could use the same charger for several devices.

According to the government proposal, economic operators will be required to provide end-users with the possibility to purchase radio equipment in line with the Directive without having to purchase a charging device. The aim of the requirements is to reduce electronic waste.

Economic operators should ensure that, when end-users purchase radio equipment, they receive the necessary information on the charging characteristics and on the charging device compatible with the equipment. In addition, some technical amendments would be made to the Act.

What’s next?

The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve the amendments to the Act on Electronic Communication Services and that the Act would enter into force on 28 December 2024. The President of the Republic is to approve the Act on Thursday 21 December 2023.

Inquiries

Fanni Thessler, Senior Officer, fanni.thessler(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295 342 267
Sissi Kohtala, Senior Specialist, sissi.kohtala(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295 342 208