[2021 National Audit] Jeong Pil-mo: "We Must Cooperate with the EU's Push for 'USB-C' Type Standardization"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Eun-mo] To reduce costs and prevent resource waste, there have been calls for South Korea to cooperate in standardizing mobile device chargers such as smartphones and tablet PCs to the 'USB-C type,' following the European Union (EU) model.

On the 20th, during the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Communications Committee (STIC) audit of the Ministry of Science and ICT, Rep. Jeong Pil-mo of the Democratic Party stated, "The EU estimates that standardizing chargers to the C-type can reduce costs by over 250 million euros (approximately 340 billion KRW) annually and cut about 1,000 tons of electronic waste," adding, "We should observe the EU's standardization process and actively participate in cooperation if necessary." In response, Minister Lim Hye-sook of the Ministry of Science and ICT agreed, saying, "I concur."

Last September, the EU introduced legislation mandating manufacturers to unify mobile device chargers to the USB-C type to enhance consumer convenience. The EU is reportedly granting manufacturers a two-year preparation period. The European Commission, the EU's executive body, expects this measure to reduce electronic waste related to devices such as mobile phones and PCs.

Currently, consumers choose among three types of cables for charging mobile phones: Apple's 8-pin Lightning cable, the micro-USB cable used by most other phones, and the USB-C type cable.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.