Article 1 Subject matter and scope
1. This Directive establishes a regulatory framework for the making available on the market and putting into service in the Union of radio equipment. 2. This Directive shall not apply to equipment listed in Annex I. 3. This Directive shall not apply to radio equipment exclusively used for activities concerning public security, defence, State security, including the economic well-being of the State in the case of activities pertaining to State security matters, and the activities of the State in the area of criminal law. 4. Radio equipment falling within the scope of this Directive shall not be subject to Directive 2014/35/EU, except as set out in point (a) of Article 3(1) of this Directive.
Article 2 Definitions
1. For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions apply: (1) ‘radio equipment’ means an electrical or electronic product, which intentionally emits and/or receives radio waves for the purpose of radio communication and/or radiodetermination, or an electrical or electronic product which must be completed with an accessory, such as antenna, so as to intentionally emit and/or receive radio waves for the purpose of radio communication and/or radiodetermination; (2) ‘radio communication’ means communication by means of radio waves; (3) ‘radiodetermination’ means the determination of the position, velocity and/or other characteristics of an object, or the obtaining of information relating to those parameters, by means of the propagation properties of radio waves; (4) ‘radio waves’ means electromagnetic waves of frequencies lower than 3 000 GHz, propagated in space without artificial guide; (5) ‘radio interface’ means the specification of the regulated use of radio spectrum; (6) ‘radio equipment class’ means a class identifying particular categories of radio equipment which, under this Directive, are considered similar and those radio interfaces for which the radio equipment is designed; (7) ‘harmful interference’ means harmful interference as defined in point (r) of Article 2 of Directive 2002/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 1 ); (8) ‘electromagnetic disturbance’ means electromagnetic disturbance as defined in point 5 of Article 3(1) of Directive 2014/30/EU; (9) ‘making available on the market’ means any supply of radio equipment for distribution, consumption or use on the Union market in the course of a commercial activity, whether in return for payment or free of charge; (10) ‘placing on the market’ means the first making available of radio equipment on the Union market; (11) ‘putting into service’ means the first use of radio equipment in the Union by its end-user; (12) ‘manufacturer’ means any natural or legal person who manufactures radio equipment or has radio equipment designed or manufactured, and markets that equipment under his name or trade mark; (13) ‘authorised representative’ means any natural or legal person established within the Union who has received a written mandate from a manufacturer to act on his behalf in relation to specified tasks; (14) ‘importer’ means any natural or legal person established within the Union who places radio equipment from a third country on the Union market; (15) ‘distributor’ means any natural or legal person in the supply chain, other than the manufacturer or the importer, who makes radio equipment available on the market; (16) ‘economic operators’ means the manufacturer, the authorised representative, the importer and the distributor; (17) ‘technical specification’ means a document that prescribes technical requirements to be fulfilled by radio equipment; (18) ‘harmonised standard’ means harmonised standard as defined in point (c) of point 1 of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012; (19) ‘accreditation’ means accreditation as defined in point 10 of Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008; (20) ‘national accreditation body’ means national accreditation body as defined in point 11 of Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008; (21) ‘conformity assessment’ means the process demonstrating whether the essential requirements of this Directive relating to radio equipment have been fulfilled; (22) ‘conformity assessment body’ means a body that performs conformity assessment activities; (23) ‘recall’ means any measure aimed at achieving the return of radio equipment that has already been made available to the end-user; (24) ‘withdrawal’ means any measure aimed at preventing radio equipment in the supply chain from being made available on the market; (25) ‘Union harmonisation legislation’ means any Union legislation harmonising the conditions for the marketing of products; (26) ‘CE marking’ means a marking by which the manufacturer indicates that the radio equipment is in conformity with the applicable requirements set out in Union harmonisation legislation providing for its affixing. 2. The Commission may adopt implementing acts to determine whether certain categories of electrical or electronic products meet the definition set out in point 1 of paragraph 1 of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 45(3).
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Since 2009, the Commission has been seeking to limit the fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces for mobile phones and similar devices. However, such initiatives only led to voluntary schemes that are not legally binding and thus do not ensure consistent and uniform application. In June 2009, following a request from the Commission, major producers of mobile telephones agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on harmonising chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU 1 . The signatories agreed to develop a common specification based on the USB 2.0 micro-B interface, which would allow full charging compatibility with the mobile phones to be placed on the market. The MoU reduced market fragmentation and attracted almost global alignment. Its implementation led to an effective reduction in the number of charging solutions for mobile phones from 30 to only three. However, the MoU also allowed for the use of proprietary charging interfaces, and one such solution continued to be used (and still is) by a major mobile phone manufacturer, thus preventing full interoperability. In addition, the MoU never addressed the environmental issues arising from the continued existence of those different charging interfaces and charging communication protocols. Without EU action, this fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols is expected to persist and environmental impacts will remain unaddressed. Ever since the MoU expired in 2014 (after two letters of renewal), the European Commission has been trying to foster the adoption of a new voluntary agreement. In March 2018, following several rounds of discussion among the relevant manufacturers and exchanges of views with the Commission, the industry proposed a new MoU on a future common charging solution for smartphones. However, the Commission did not consider the new MoU to be satisfactory as it is not in line with the EU’s harmonisation objectives, which seek to limit fragmentation of charging solutions (both the charging interfaces and the charging communication protocols) for mobile phones and similar items of radio equipment. The proposed new MoU continued to allow for proprietary solutions (vendor-specific connection means), which the Commission no longer considers justified in view of the technical advantages provided by the introduction of the USB Type-C interface. In this context, the Commission launched in 2018 an impact assessment study for a possible proposal aimed at implementing a common solution for charging mobile phones (and possibly other similar categories or classes of radio equipment). While the original objective of this initiative was to improve consumer convenience, the study concluded, that imposing a common charging interface and a common charging communication protocol on the side of the radio equipment (smartphones, but possibly also tablets, cameras, readers, etc.), while encouraging or imposing unbundling (i.e. the supply to the end-user of the radio equipment without the charging device), would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste (e-waste). It concluded that only harmonising the charging interface (in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging this interface being the charging receptacle) would not achieve full interoperability of charge. In fact, currently, various charging communication protocols exist and not all ensure the same charging performance if a charging device from another brand is used. Additionally, the study concluded that having a common charging device across different types of radio equipment would be likely to increase consumer convenience overall. Regarding wireless charging (i.e. more generally charging technology other than wired charging), the study concluded that if any breakthroughs in wireless charging technology were to happen, this could undermine the rationale for a common connector solution, by significantly reducing the relevance of wired charging solutions in general. In the light of these conclusions, in October 2020 the Commission launched two complementary studies, on unbundling mobile phones and similar portable electronic devices and wireless charging technologies in order to strengthen the evidence base for the proposal. In January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution 2 calling for the urgent adoption of a standard for a common charger for mobile phones in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation. Specifically, the resolution called on the Commission to adopt a legislative measure, if necessary, to establish a common charger. It also urged the Commission to ensure that consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new item of radio equipment and that unbundling measures (consisting in the supply to the end-user of radio equipment without a charging device) should be introduced with a common charging solution, as otherwise the aim of reducing the volume of charging devices produced per year and hence reducing electronic waste (e-waste) would not be achieved. The Commission adjusted 2020 work programme 3 , specifically states that there will be a new proposal on common chargers for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a common charger and as preconditions for impactful and meaningful unbundling, the three supporting studies, which were conducted found that radio equipment shall integrate: a harmonised charging interface at the radio equipment end (the charging receptacle in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging), a minimum common interoperability of charging through a harmonised charging communication protocol, and detailed information about charging requirements of the radio equipment. The design of radio equipment falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU 4 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment . On the other hand, the characteristics of the external power supply are falling within the scope of the Directive 2009/125/EC of establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. 5 This proposal is aimed at preventing fragmentation of the market when it comes to charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing e-waste. In particular, it will: - harmonise the charging interface for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment (tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers) that are recharged via a wired charging, so that they can be recharged by using a common charging receptacle; - guarantee that such devices, where they support fast charging, incorporate at least the same charging communication protocol; - allow for future harmonisation in this area in response to technological developments, including harmonisation of any type of charging interface other than wired charging; - introduce requirements so that end-users are not obliged to purchase a new charging device whenever they purchase a new mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment and; - introduce requirements so that, when purchasing a mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment, end-users receive the necessary information on its charging performance characteristics and the charging device that can be used with it. An Impact Assessment was carried out to examine policy options for: (a) harmonisation of the radio equipment charging interface; (b) support for the relevant charging communication protocol on the radio equipment and informing consumers about the charging performance; and (c) making available on the market of at least unbundled solution. Policy Option (A) Harmonisation of the end-device connector (B) Support of the relevant charging protocol on the end-device and informing consumers about charging performance (C) Making available on the market at least unbundled 6 solutions Option 0 No action No action No action Option 1 Mandatory No action No action Option 2 No action Mandatory No action Option 3 No action Mandatory Mandatory Option 4 Mandatory Mandatory No action Option 5 Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory For all options, there are sub-options of a narrow scope (i.e. covering mobile phones only) or a broader scope (also including certain devices with charging characteristics that are comparable to those of a mobile phone). The preferred policy option is option 5 with a broad scope as it involves the fairest trade-off between all the objectives and allow a win-win situation for the majority of stakeholders and the environment. 
Revised version (Article 2 Definitions):
2. The Commission may adopt implementing acts to determine whether certain categories of electrical or electronic products meet the definition set out in point 1 of paragraph 1 of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 45(3).
Article 3 Essential requirements
1. Radio equipment shall be constructed so as to ensure: (a) the protection of health and safety of persons and of domestic animals and the protection of property, including the objectives with respect to safety requirements set out in Directive 2014/35/EU, but with no voltage limit applying; (b) an adequate level of electromagnetic compatibility as set out in Directive 2014/30/EU. 2. Radio equipment shall be so constructed that it both effectively uses and supports the efficient use of radio spectrum in order to avoid harmful interference. 3. Radio equipment within certain categories or classes shall be so constructed that it complies with the following essential requirements: (a) radio equipment interworks with accessories, in particular with common chargers; (b) radio equipment interworks via networks with other radio equipment; (c) radio equipment can be connected to interfaces of the appropriate type throughout the Union; (d) radio equipment does not harm the network or its functioning nor misuse network resources, thereby causing an unacceptable degradation of service; (e) radio equipment incorporates safeguards to ensure that the personal data and privacy of the user and of the subscriber are protected; (f) radio equipment supports certain features ensuring protection from fraud; (g) radio equipment supports certain features ensuring access to emergency services; (h) radio equipment supports certain features in order to facilitate its use by users with a disability; (i) radio equipment supports certain features in order to ensure that software can only be loaded into the radio equipment where the compliance of the combination of the radio equipment and software has been demonstrated. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 44 specifying which categories or classes of radio equipment are concerned by each of the requirements set out in points (a) to (i) of the first subparagraph of this paragraph.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Since 2009, the Commission has been seeking to limit the fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces for mobile phones and similar devices. However, such initiatives only led to voluntary schemes that are not legally binding and thus do not ensure consistent and uniform application. In June 2009, following a request from the Commission, major producers of mobile telephones agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on harmonising chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU 1 . The signatories agreed to develop a common specification based on the USB 2.0 micro-B interface, which would allow full charging compatibility with the mobile phones to be placed on the market. The MoU reduced market fragmentation and attracted almost global alignment. Its implementation led to an effective reduction in the number of charging solutions for mobile phones from 30 to only three. However, the MoU also allowed for the use of proprietary charging interfaces, and one such solution continued to be used (and still is) by a major mobile phone manufacturer, thus preventing full interoperability. In addition, the MoU never addressed the environmental issues arising from the continued existence of those different charging interfaces and charging communication protocols. Without EU action, this fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols is expected to persist and environmental impacts will remain unaddressed. Ever since the MoU expired in 2014 (after two letters of renewal), the European Commission has been trying to foster the adoption of a new voluntary agreement. In March 2018, following several rounds of discussion among the relevant manufacturers and exchanges of views with the Commission, the industry proposed a new MoU on a future common charging solution for smartphones. However, the Commission did not consider the new MoU to be satisfactory as it is not in line with the EU’s harmonisation objectives, which seek to limit fragmentation of charging solutions (both the charging interfaces and the charging communication protocols) for mobile phones and similar items of radio equipment. The proposed new MoU continued to allow for proprietary solutions (vendor-specific connection means), which the Commission no longer considers justified in view of the technical advantages provided by the introduction of the USB Type-C interface. In this context, the Commission launched in 2018 an impact assessment study for a possible proposal aimed at implementing a common solution for charging mobile phones (and possibly other similar categories or classes of radio equipment). While the original objective of this initiative was to improve consumer convenience, the study concluded, that imposing a common charging interface and a common charging communication protocol on the side of the radio equipment (smartphones, but possibly also tablets, cameras, readers, etc.), while encouraging or imposing unbundling (i.e. the supply to the end-user of the radio equipment without the charging device), would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste (e-waste). It concluded that only harmonising the charging interface (in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging this interface being the charging receptacle) would not achieve full interoperability of charge. In fact, currently, various charging communication protocols exist and not all ensure the same charging performance if a charging device from another brand is used. Additionally, the study concluded that having a common charging device across different types of radio equipment would be likely to increase consumer convenience overall. Regarding wireless charging (i.e. more generally charging technology other than wired charging), the study concluded that if any breakthroughs in wireless charging technology were to happen, this could undermine the rationale for a common connector solution, by significantly reducing the relevance of wired charging solutions in general. In the light of these conclusions, in October 2020 the Commission launched two complementary studies, on unbundling mobile phones and similar portable electronic devices and wireless charging technologies in order to strengthen the evidence base for the proposal. In January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution 2 calling for the urgent adoption of a standard for a common charger for mobile phones in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation. Specifically, the resolution called on the Commission to adopt a legislative measure, if necessary, to establish a common charger. It also urged the Commission to ensure that consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new item of radio equipment and that unbundling measures (consisting in the supply to the end-user of radio equipment without a charging device) should be introduced with a common charging solution, as otherwise the aim of reducing the volume of charging devices produced per year and hence reducing electronic waste (e-waste) would not be achieved. The Commission adjusted 2020 work programme 3 , specifically states that there will be a new proposal on common chargers for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a common charger and as preconditions for impactful and meaningful unbundling, the three supporting studies, which were conducted found that radio equipment shall integrate: a harmonised charging interface at the radio equipment end (the charging receptacle in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging), a minimum common interoperability of charging through a harmonised charging communication protocol, and detailed information about charging requirements of the radio equipment. The design of radio equipment falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU 4 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment . On the other hand, the characteristics of the external power supply are falling within the scope of the Directive 2009/125/EC of establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. 5 This proposal is aimed at preventing fragmentation of the market when it comes to charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing e-waste. In particular, it will: - harmonise the charging interface for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment (tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers) that are recharged via a wired charging, so that they can be recharged by using a common charging receptacle; - guarantee that such devices, where they support fast charging, incorporate at least the same charging communication protocol; - allow for future harmonisation in this area in response to technological developments, including harmonisation of any type of charging interface other than wired charging; - introduce requirements so that end-users are not obliged to purchase a new charging device whenever they purchase a new mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment and; - introduce requirements so that, when purchasing a mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment, end-users receive the necessary information on its charging performance characteristics and the charging device that can be used with it. An Impact Assessment was carried out to examine policy options for: (a) harmonisation of the radio equipment charging interface; (b) support for the relevant charging communication protocol on the radio equipment and informing consumers about the charging performance; and (c) making available on the market of at least unbundled solution. Policy Option (A) Harmonisation of the end-device connector (B) Support of the relevant charging protocol on the end-device and informing consumers about charging performance (C) Making available on the market at least unbundled 6 solutions Option 0 No action No action No action Option 1 Mandatory No action No action Option 2 No action Mandatory No action Option 3 No action Mandatory Mandatory Option 4 Mandatory Mandatory No action Option 5 Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory For all options, there are sub-options of a narrow scope (i.e. covering mobile phones only) or a broader scope (also including certain devices with charging characteristics that are comparable to those of a mobile phone). The preferred policy option is option 5 with a broad scope as it involves the fairest trade-off between all the objectives and allow a win-win situation for the majority of stakeholders and the environment. 
Revised version (Article 3 Essential requirements):
1. Radio equipment shall be constructed so as to ensure: (a) the protection of health and safety of persons and of domestic animals and the protection of property, including the objectives with respect to safety requirements set out in Directive 2014/35/EU, but with no voltage limit applying; (b) an adequate level of electromagnetic compatibility as set out in Directive 2014/30/EU. 2. Radio equipment shall be so constructed that it both effectively uses and supports the efficient use of radio spectrum in order to avoid harmful interference. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 44 specifying which categories or classes of radio equipment are concerned by each of the requirements set out in points (a) to (i) of the first subparagraph of this paragraph. 4. Radio equipment falling within the categories or classes specified in Part I of Annex Ia shall be so constructed that it complies with the specifications relating to charging capabilities set out in that Annex for the relevant category or class of radio equipment. With respect to radio equipment capable of being recharged by means of wired charging, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 44 to amend Part I of Annex Ia in the light of scientific and technological progress or market developments in order to ensure a minimum common interoperability between radio equipment and its charging devices, as well as to improve consumer convenience, to reduce environmental waste and to avoid market fragmentation, by: (a) modifying, adding or removing categories or classes of radio equipment; The Commission shall continuously assess market developments, market fragmentation and technological progress with a view to identifying categories or classes of radio equipment capable of being recharged by means of wired charging for which the inclusion in Part I of Annex Ia would lead to significant consumer convenience and reduction of environmental waste. The Commission shall submit a report on the assessment referred to in the third subparagraph to the European Parliament and to the Council, for the first time by 28 December 2025 and every 5 years thereafter, and shall adopt delegated acts pursuant to the second subparagraph, point (a), accordingly. With respect to radio equipment capable of being recharged by means other than wired charging, the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 44 in order to amend Part I of Annex Ia in the light of scientific and technological progress or market developments in order to ensure a minimum common interoperability between radio equipment and its charging devices, as well as to improve consumer convenience, to reduce environmental waste and to avoid market fragmentation, by: (a) introducing, modifying, adding or removing categories or classes of radio equipment; (b) introducing, modifying, adding or removing technical specifications, including references and descriptions, in relation to charging interface(s) and charging communication protocol(s), for each category or class of radio equipment concerned. The Commission shall, in accordance with Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012, and by 28 December 2024, request one or more European standardisation organisations to draft harmonised standards laying down technical specifications for the charging interface(s) and charging communication protocol(s) for radio equipment capable of being recharged by means other than wired charging. In accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 10(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012, the Commission shall consult the committee set up under Article 45(1) of this Directive. The requirements as to the content of the requested harmonised standards shall be based on an assessment carried out by the Commission of the current state of wireless charging technologies for radio equipment, covering in particular market developments, market penetration, market fragmentation, technological performance, interoperability, energy efficiency and charging performance. When preparing the delegated acts referred to in this Article with respect to radio equipment capable of being recharged by means of wired charging, as well as with respect to radio equipment capable of being recharged by means other than wired charging, the Commission shall take into account the degree of market acceptance of the technical specifications under consideration, the resulting consumer convenience and the extent of the reduction of environmental waste and market fragmentation that can be expected from such technical specifications. Technical specifications that are based on relevant available European or international standards shall be deemed to meet the objectives set out in the previous sentence. However, where such European or international standards do not exist, or where the Commission determines, based on its technical assessment, that they do not meet those objectives in an optimal manner, the Commission may set out other technical specifications which better meet those objectives.
Article 4 Provision of information on the compliance of combinations of radio equipment and software
1. Manufacturers of radio equipment and of software allowing radio equipment to be used as intended shall provide the Member States and the Commission with information on the compliance of intended combinations of radio equipment and software with the essential requirements set out in Article 3. Such information shall result from a conformity assessment carried out in accordance with Article 17, and shall be given in the form of a statement of compliance which includes the elements set out in Annex VI. Depending on the specific combinations of radio equipment and software, the information shall precisely identify the radio equipment and the software which have been assessed, and it shall be continuously updated. 2. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 44 specifying which categories or classes of radio equipment are concerned by the requirement set out in paragraph 1 of this Article. 3. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down the operational rules for making the information on compliance available for the categories and classes specified by the delegated acts adopted pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 45(3).
Article 5 Registration of radio equipment types within some categories
1. As from 12 June 2018, manufacturers shall register radio equipment types within categories of radio equipment affected by a low level of compliance with the essential requirements set out in Article 3 within a central system referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article prior to radio equipment within those categories being placed on the market. When registering such radio equipment types, manufacturers shall provide some, or where justified all, elements of the technical documentation listed in points (a), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i) of Annex V. The Commission shall allocate to each registered radio equipment type a registration number, which manufacturers shall affix on radio equipment placed on the market. 2. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 44 specifying which categories of radio equipment are concerned by the requirement set out in paragraph 1 of this Article, and the elements of the technical documentation to be provided, taking into account the information on the compliance of radio equipment provided by Member States in accordance with Article 47(1) and following an evaluation of the risk of non-implementation of the essential requirements. 3. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down the operational rules for registration and the operational rules for affixing the registration number on radio equipment for the categories specified by the delegated acts adopted pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 45(3). 4. The Commission shall make available a central system allowing manufacturers to register the required information. That system shall ensure appropriate control of access to information of confidential nature. 5. Following the date of application of a delegated act adopted pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article, the reports prepared in accordance with Article 47(1) and (2) shall evaluate its impacts.
Article 6 Making available on the market
Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that radio equipment is made available on the market only if it complies with this Directive.
Article 7 Putting into service and use
Member States shall allow the putting into service and use of radio equipment if it complies with this Directive when it is properly installed, maintained and used for its intended purpose. Without prejudice to their obligations under Decision No 676/2002/EC and to the conditions attached to authorisations for the use of frequencies in conformity with Union law, in particular under Article 9(3) and (4) of Directive 2002/21/EC, Member States may only introduce additional requirements for the putting into service and/or use of radio equipment for reasons related to the effective and efficient use of the radio spectrum, to the avoidance of harmful interference, to the avoidance of electromagnetic disturbances or to public health.
Article 8 Notification of radio interface specifications and assignment of radio equipment classes
1. Member States shall notify, in accordance with the procedure set out in Directive 98/34/EC, the radio interfaces which they intend to regulate except: (a) the radio interfaces which fully and without any deviation comply with the Commission decisions on the harmonised use of radio spectrum adopted pursuant to Decision No 676/2002/EC; and (b) the radio interfaces which, in accordance with implementing acts adopted pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article, correspond to radio equipment which can be put into service and used without restrictions within the Union. 2. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing the equivalence between notified radio interfaces and assigning a radio equipment class, details of which shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union . Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 45(3).
Article 9 Free movement of radio equipment
1. Member States shall not impede, for reasons relating to aspects covered by this Directive, the making available on the market in their territory of radio equipment which complies with this Directive. 2. At trade fairs, exhibitions and similar events, Member States shall not create any obstacles to the display of radio equipment which does not comply with this Directive, provided that a visible sign clearly indicates that such radio equipment may not be made available on the market or put into service until it has been brought into conformity with this Directive. Demonstration of radio equipment may only take place provided that adequate measures, as prescribed by Member States, have been taken to avoid harmful interference, electromagnetic disturbances and risk to the health or safety of persons or of domestic animals or to property.
Article 10 Obligations of manufacturers
1. When placing their radio equipment on the market, manufacturers shall ensure that it has been designed and manufactured in accordance with the essential requirements set out in Article 3. 2. Manufacturers shall ensure that radio equipment shall be so constructed that it can be operated in at least one Member State without infringing applicable requirements on the use of radio spectrum. 3. Manufacturers shall draw up the technical documentation referred to in Article 21 and carry out the relevant conformity assessment procedure referred to in Article 17 or have it carried out. Where compliance of radio equipment with the applicable requirements has been demonstrated by that conformity assessment procedure, manufacturers shall draw up an EU declaration of conformity and affix the CE marking. 4. Manufacturers shall keep the technical documentation and the EU declaration of conformity for 10 years after the radio equipment has been placed on the market. 5. Manufacturers shall ensure that procedures are in place for series production to remain in conformity with this Directive. Changes in radio equipment design or characteristics and changes in the harmonised standards or in other technical specifications by reference to which conformity of radio equipment is declared shall be adequately taken into account. When deemed appropriate with regard to the risks presented by radio equipment, manufacturers shall, to protect the health and safety of end-users, carry out sample testing of radio equipment made available on the market, investigate, and, if necessary, keep a register of complaints, of non-conforming radio equipment and radio equipment recalls, and shall keep distributors informed of any such monitoring. 6. Manufacturers shall ensure that radio equipment which they have placed on the market bears a type, batch or serial number or other element allowing its identification, or, where the size or nature of the radio equipment does not allow it, that the required information is provided on the packaging, or in a document accompanying the radio equipment. 7. Manufacturers shall indicate on the radio equipment their name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the postal address at which they can be contacted or, where the size or nature of radio equipment does not allow it, on its packaging, or in a document accompanying the radio equipment. The address shall indicate a single point at which the manufacturer can be contacted. The contact details shall be in a language easily understood by end-users and market surveillance authorities. 8. Manufacturers shall ensure that the radio equipment is accompanied by instructions and safety information in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned. Instructions shall include the information required to use radio equipment in accordance with its intended use. Such information shall include, where applicable, a description of accessories and components, including software, which allow the radio equipment to operate as intended. Such instructions and safety information, as well as any labelling, shall be clear, understandable and intelligible. The following information shall also be included in the case of radio equipment intentionally emitting radio waves: (a) frequency band(s) in which the radio equipment operates; (b) maximum radio-frequency power transmitted in the frequency band(s) in which the radio equipment operates. 9. Manufacturers shall ensure that each item of radio equipment is accompanied by a copy of the EU declaration of conformity or by a simplified EU declaration of conformity. Where a simplified EU declaration of conformity is provided, it shall contain the exact internet address where the full text of the EU declaration of conformity can be obtained. 10. In cases of restrictions on putting into service or of requirements for authorisation of use, information available on the packaging shall allow the identification of the Member States or the geographical area within a Member State where restrictions on putting into service or requirements for authorisation of use exist. Such information shall be completed in the instructions accompanying the radio equipment. The Commission may adopt implementing acts specifying how to present that information. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 45(2). 11. Manufacturers who consider or have reason to believe that radio equipment which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Directive shall immediately take the corrective measures necessary to bring that radio equipment into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate. Furthermore, where the radio equipment presents a risk, manufacturers shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the radio equipment available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance, of any corrective measures taken and of the results thereof. 12. Manufacturers shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form necessary to demonstrate the conformity of the radio equipment with this Directive, in a language which can be easily understood by that authority. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by radio equipment which they have placed on the market.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Since 2009, the Commission has been seeking to limit the fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces for mobile phones and similar devices. However, such initiatives only led to voluntary schemes that are not legally binding and thus do not ensure consistent and uniform application. In June 2009, following a request from the Commission, major producers of mobile telephones agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on harmonising chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU 1 . The signatories agreed to develop a common specification based on the USB 2.0 micro-B interface, which would allow full charging compatibility with the mobile phones to be placed on the market. The MoU reduced market fragmentation and attracted almost global alignment. Its implementation led to an effective reduction in the number of charging solutions for mobile phones from 30 to only three. However, the MoU also allowed for the use of proprietary charging interfaces, and one such solution continued to be used (and still is) by a major mobile phone manufacturer, thus preventing full interoperability. In addition, the MoU never addressed the environmental issues arising from the continued existence of those different charging interfaces and charging communication protocols. Without EU action, this fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols is expected to persist and environmental impacts will remain unaddressed. Ever since the MoU expired in 2014 (after two letters of renewal), the European Commission has been trying to foster the adoption of a new voluntary agreement. In March 2018, following several rounds of discussion among the relevant manufacturers and exchanges of views with the Commission, the industry proposed a new MoU on a future common charging solution for smartphones. However, the Commission did not consider the new MoU to be satisfactory as it is not in line with the EU’s harmonisation objectives, which seek to limit fragmentation of charging solutions (both the charging interfaces and the charging communication protocols) for mobile phones and similar items of radio equipment. The proposed new MoU continued to allow for proprietary solutions (vendor-specific connection means), which the Commission no longer considers justified in view of the technical advantages provided by the introduction of the USB Type-C interface. In this context, the Commission launched in 2018 an impact assessment study for a possible proposal aimed at implementing a common solution for charging mobile phones (and possibly other similar categories or classes of radio equipment). While the original objective of this initiative was to improve consumer convenience, the study concluded, that imposing a common charging interface and a common charging communication protocol on the side of the radio equipment (smartphones, but possibly also tablets, cameras, readers, etc.), while encouraging or imposing unbundling (i.e. the supply to the end-user of the radio equipment without the charging device), would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste (e-waste). It concluded that only harmonising the charging interface (in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging this interface being the charging receptacle) would not achieve full interoperability of charge. In fact, currently, various charging communication protocols exist and not all ensure the same charging performance if a charging device from another brand is used. Additionally, the study concluded that having a common charging device across different types of radio equipment would be likely to increase consumer convenience overall. Regarding wireless charging (i.e. more generally charging technology other than wired charging), the study concluded that if any breakthroughs in wireless charging technology were to happen, this could undermine the rationale for a common connector solution, by significantly reducing the relevance of wired charging solutions in general. In the light of these conclusions, in October 2020 the Commission launched two complementary studies, on unbundling mobile phones and similar portable electronic devices and wireless charging technologies in order to strengthen the evidence base for the proposal. In January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution 2 calling for the urgent adoption of a standard for a common charger for mobile phones in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation. Specifically, the resolution called on the Commission to adopt a legislative measure, if necessary, to establish a common charger. It also urged the Commission to ensure that consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new item of radio equipment and that unbundling measures (consisting in the supply to the end-user of radio equipment without a charging device) should be introduced with a common charging solution, as otherwise the aim of reducing the volume of charging devices produced per year and hence reducing electronic waste (e-waste) would not be achieved. The Commission adjusted 2020 work programme 3 , specifically states that there will be a new proposal on common chargers for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a common charger and as preconditions for impactful and meaningful unbundling, the three supporting studies, which were conducted found that radio equipment shall integrate: a harmonised charging interface at the radio equipment end (the charging receptacle in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging), a minimum common interoperability of charging through a harmonised charging communication protocol, and detailed information about charging requirements of the radio equipment. The design of radio equipment falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU 4 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment . On the other hand, the characteristics of the external power supply are falling within the scope of the Directive 2009/125/EC of establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. 5 This proposal is aimed at preventing fragmentation of the market when it comes to charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing e-waste. In particular, it will: - harmonise the charging interface for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment (tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers) that are recharged via a wired charging, so that they can be recharged by using a common charging receptacle; - guarantee that such devices, where they support fast charging, incorporate at least the same charging communication protocol; - allow for future harmonisation in this area in response to technological developments, including harmonisation of any type of charging interface other than wired charging; - introduce requirements so that end-users are not obliged to purchase a new charging device whenever they purchase a new mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment and; - introduce requirements so that, when purchasing a mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment, end-users receive the necessary information on its charging performance characteristics and the charging device that can be used with it. An Impact Assessment was carried out to examine policy options for: (a) harmonisation of the radio equipment charging interface; (b) support for the relevant charging communication protocol on the radio equipment and informing consumers about the charging performance; and (c) making available on the market of at least unbundled solution. Policy Option (A) Harmonisation of the end-device connector (B) Support of the relevant charging protocol on the end-device and informing consumers about charging performance (C) Making available on the market at least unbundled 6 solutions Option 0 No action No action No action Option 1 Mandatory No action No action Option 2 No action Mandatory No action Option 3 No action Mandatory Mandatory Option 4 Mandatory Mandatory No action Option 5 Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory For all options, there are sub-options of a narrow scope (i.e. covering mobile phones only) or a broader scope (also including certain devices with charging characteristics that are comparable to those of a mobile phone). The preferred policy option is option 5 with a broad scope as it involves the fairest trade-off between all the objectives and allow a win-win situation for the majority of stakeholders and the environment. 
Revised version (Article 10 Obligations of manufacturers):
1. When placing their radio equipment on the market, manufacturers shall ensure that it has been designed and manufactured in accordance with the essential requirements set out in Article 3. 2. Manufacturers shall ensure that radio equipment shall be so constructed that it can be operated in at least one Member State without infringing applicable requirements on the use of radio spectrum. 3. Manufacturers shall draw up the technical documentation referred to in Article 21 and carry out the relevant conformity assessment procedure referred to in Article 17 or have it carried out. Where compliance of radio equipment with the applicable requirements has been demonstrated by that conformity assessment procedure, manufacturers shall draw up an EU declaration of conformity and affix the CE marking. 4. Manufacturers shall keep the technical documentation and the EU declaration of conformity for 10 years after the radio equipment has been placed on the market. 5. Manufacturers shall ensure that procedures are in place for series production to remain in conformity with this Directive. Changes in radio equipment design or characteristics and changes in the harmonised standards or in other technical specifications by reference to which conformity of radio equipment is declared shall be adequately taken into account. When deemed appropriate with regard to the risks presented by radio equipment, manufacturers shall, to protect the health and safety of end-users, carry out sample testing of radio equipment made available on the market, investigate, and, if necessary, keep a register of complaints, of non-conforming radio equipment and radio equipment recalls, and shall keep distributors informed of any such monitoring. 6. Manufacturers shall ensure that radio equipment which they have placed on the market bears a type, batch or serial number or other element allowing its identification, or, where the size or nature of the radio equipment does not allow it, that the required information is provided on the packaging, or in a document accompanying the radio equipment. 7. Manufacturers shall indicate on the radio equipment their name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the postal address at which they can be contacted or, where the size or nature of radio equipment does not allow it, on its packaging, or in a document accompanying the radio equipment. The address shall indicate a single point at which the manufacturer can be contacted. The contact details shall be in a language easily understood by end-users and market surveillance authorities. 8. Manufacturers shall ensure that the radio equipment is accompanied by instructions and safety information. Instructions shall include the information required to use radio equipment in accordance with its intended use. Such information shall include, where applicable, a description of accessories and components, including software, which allow the radio equipment to operate as intended. Such instructions and safety information, as well as any labelling, shall be clear, understandable and intelligible. The following information shall also be included in the instructions in the case of radio equipment intentionally emitting radio waves: (a) frequency band(s) in which the radio equipment operates; (b) maximum radio-frequency power transmitted in the frequency band(s) in which the radio equipment operates. In the case of radio equipment referred to in Article 3(4), the instructions shall contain information on the specifications relating to the radio equipment’s charging capabilities and the compatible charging devices, as set out in Part II of Annex Ia. In addition to being included in the instructions, when the manufacturers make such radio equipment available to consumers and other end-users, the information shall be also displayed on a label, as set out in Part IV of Annex Ia. The label shall be printed in the instructions and on the packaging or affixed to the packaging as a sticker. In the absence of packaging, the sticker with the label shall be affixed to the radio equipment. When the radio equipment is made available to consumers and other end-users, the label shall be displayed in a visible and legible manner and, in the case of distance selling, close to the price indication. Where the size or nature of the radio equipment does not allow otherwise, the label may be printed as a separate document accompanying the radio equipment. The instructions and safety information referred to in the first, second and third subparagraphs of this paragraph shall be in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 44 in order to amend Parts II and IV of Annex Ia, as a consequence of amendments to Part I of that Annex, or as a consequence of future amendments to labelling requirements, or in the light of technological progress, by introducing, modifying, adding or removing any details in relation to the information, graphic or textual elements, as set out in this Article. 9. Manufacturers shall ensure that each item of radio equipment is accompanied by a copy of the EU declaration of conformity or by a simplified EU declaration of conformity. Where a simplified EU declaration of conformity is provided, it shall contain the exact internet address where the full text of the EU declaration of conformity can be obtained. 10. In cases of restrictions on putting into service or of requirements for authorisation of use, information available on the packaging shall allow the identification of the Member States or the geographical area within a Member State where restrictions on putting into service or requirements for authorisation of use exist. Such information shall be completed in the instructions accompanying the radio equipment. The Commission may adopt implementing acts specifying how to present that information. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 45(2). 11. Manufacturers who consider or have reason to believe that radio equipment which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Directive shall immediately take the corrective measures necessary to bring that radio equipment into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate. Furthermore, where the radio equipment presents a risk, manufacturers shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the radio equipment available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance, of any corrective measures taken and of the results thereof. 12. Manufacturers shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form necessary to demonstrate the conformity of the radio equipment with this Directive, in a language which can be easily understood by that authority. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by radio equipment which they have placed on the market.
Article 11 Authorised representatives
1. A manufacturer may, by a written mandate, appoint an authorised representative. The obligations laid down in Article 10(1) and the obligation to draw up technical documentation laid down in Article 10(3) shall not form part of the authorised representative's mandate. 2. An authorised representative shall perform the tasks specified in the mandate received from the manufacturer. The mandate shall allow the authorised representative to do at least the following: (a) keep the EU declaration of conformity and the technical documentation at the disposal of national market surveillance authorities for 10 years after the radio equipment has been placed on the market; (b) further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide that authority with all the information and documentation necessary to demonstrate the conformity of radio equipment; (c) cooperate with the competent national authorities, at their request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by radio equipment covered by the authorised representative's mandate.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Since 2009, the Commission has been seeking to limit the fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces for mobile phones and similar devices. However, such initiatives only led to voluntary schemes that are not legally binding and thus do not ensure consistent and uniform application. In June 2009, following a request from the Commission, major producers of mobile telephones agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on harmonising chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU 1 . The signatories agreed to develop a common specification based on the USB 2.0 micro-B interface, which would allow full charging compatibility with the mobile phones to be placed on the market. The MoU reduced market fragmentation and attracted almost global alignment. Its implementation led to an effective reduction in the number of charging solutions for mobile phones from 30 to only three. However, the MoU also allowed for the use of proprietary charging interfaces, and one such solution continued to be used (and still is) by a major mobile phone manufacturer, thus preventing full interoperability. In addition, the MoU never addressed the environmental issues arising from the continued existence of those different charging interfaces and charging communication protocols. Without EU action, this fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols is expected to persist and environmental impacts will remain unaddressed. Ever since the MoU expired in 2014 (after two letters of renewal), the European Commission has been trying to foster the adoption of a new voluntary agreement. In March 2018, following several rounds of discussion among the relevant manufacturers and exchanges of views with the Commission, the industry proposed a new MoU on a future common charging solution for smartphones. However, the Commission did not consider the new MoU to be satisfactory as it is not in line with the EU’s harmonisation objectives, which seek to limit fragmentation of charging solutions (both the charging interfaces and the charging communication protocols) for mobile phones and similar items of radio equipment. The proposed new MoU continued to allow for proprietary solutions (vendor-specific connection means), which the Commission no longer considers justified in view of the technical advantages provided by the introduction of the USB Type-C interface. In this context, the Commission launched in 2018 an impact assessment study for a possible proposal aimed at implementing a common solution for charging mobile phones (and possibly other similar categories or classes of radio equipment). While the original objective of this initiative was to improve consumer convenience, the study concluded, that imposing a common charging interface and a common charging communication protocol on the side of the radio equipment (smartphones, but possibly also tablets, cameras, readers, etc.), while encouraging or imposing unbundling (i.e. the supply to the end-user of the radio equipment without the charging device), would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste (e-waste). It concluded that only harmonising the charging interface (in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging this interface being the charging receptacle) would not achieve full interoperability of charge. In fact, currently, various charging communication protocols exist and not all ensure the same charging performance if a charging device from another brand is used. Additionally, the study concluded that having a common charging device across different types of radio equipment would be likely to increase consumer convenience overall. Regarding wireless charging (i.e. more generally charging technology other than wired charging), the study concluded that if any breakthroughs in wireless charging technology were to happen, this could undermine the rationale for a common connector solution, by significantly reducing the relevance of wired charging solutions in general. In the light of these conclusions, in October 2020 the Commission launched two complementary studies, on unbundling mobile phones and similar portable electronic devices and wireless charging technologies in order to strengthen the evidence base for the proposal. In January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution 2 calling for the urgent adoption of a standard for a common charger for mobile phones in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation. Specifically, the resolution called on the Commission to adopt a legislative measure, if necessary, to establish a common charger. It also urged the Commission to ensure that consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new item of radio equipment and that unbundling measures (consisting in the supply to the end-user of radio equipment without a charging device) should be introduced with a common charging solution, as otherwise the aim of reducing the volume of charging devices produced per year and hence reducing electronic waste (e-waste) would not be achieved. The Commission adjusted 2020 work programme 3 , specifically states that there will be a new proposal on common chargers for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a common charger and as preconditions for impactful and meaningful unbundling, the three supporting studies, which were conducted found that radio equipment shall integrate: a harmonised charging interface at the radio equipment end (the charging receptacle in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging), a minimum common interoperability of charging through a harmonised charging communication protocol, and detailed information about charging requirements of the radio equipment. The design of radio equipment falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU 4 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment . On the other hand, the characteristics of the external power supply are falling within the scope of the Directive 2009/125/EC of establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. 5 This proposal is aimed at preventing fragmentation of the market when it comes to charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing e-waste. In particular, it will: - harmonise the charging interface for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment (tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers) that are recharged via a wired charging, so that they can be recharged by using a common charging receptacle; - guarantee that such devices, where they support fast charging, incorporate at least the same charging communication protocol; - allow for future harmonisation in this area in response to technological developments, including harmonisation of any type of charging interface other than wired charging; - introduce requirements so that end-users are not obliged to purchase a new charging device whenever they purchase a new mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment and; - introduce requirements so that, when purchasing a mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment, end-users receive the necessary information on its charging performance characteristics and the charging device that can be used with it. An Impact Assessment was carried out to examine policy options for: (a) harmonisation of the radio equipment charging interface; (b) support for the relevant charging communication protocol on the radio equipment and informing consumers about the charging performance; and (c) making available on the market of at least unbundled solution. Policy Option (A) Harmonisation of the end-device connector (B) Support of the relevant charging protocol on the end-device and informing consumers about charging performance (C) Making available on the market at least unbundled 6 solutions Option 0 No action No action No action Option 1 Mandatory No action No action Option 2 No action Mandatory No action Option 3 No action Mandatory Mandatory Option 4 Mandatory Mandatory No action Option 5 Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory For all options, there are sub-options of a narrow scope (i.e. covering mobile phones only) or a broader scope (also including certain devices with charging characteristics that are comparable to those of a mobile phone). The preferred policy option is option 5 with a broad scope as it involves the fairest trade-off between all the objectives and allow a win-win situation for the majority of stakeholders and the environment. 
Revised version (Article 11 Authorised representatives):
1. A manufacturer may, by a written mandate, appoint an authorised representative. The obligations laid down in Article 10(1) and the obligation to draw up technical documentation laid down in Article 10(3) shall not form part of the authorised representative's mandate.
Article 12 Obligations of importers
1. Importers shall place only compliant radio equipment on the market. 2. Before placing radio equipment on the market importers shall ensure that the appropriate conformity assessment procedure referred to in Article 17 has been carried out by the manufacturer and that the radio equipment is so constructed that it can be operated in at least one Member State without infringing applicable requirements on the use of radio spectrum. They shall ensure that the manufacturer has drawn up the technical documentation, that the radio equipment bears the CE marking and is accompanied by the information and documents referred to in Article 10(8), (9) and (10), and that the manufacturer has complied with the requirements set out in Article 10(6) and (7). Where an importer considers or has reason to believe that radio equipment is not in conformity with the essential requirements set out in Article 3, he shall not place the radio equipment on the market until it has been brought into conformity. Furthermore, where the radio equipment presents a risk, the importer shall inform the manufacturer and the market surveillance authorities to that effect. 3. Importers shall indicate on the radio equipment their name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the postal address at which they can be contacted or, where that is not possible, on its packaging or in a document accompanying the radio equipment. This includes cases where the size of radio equipment does not allow it, or where importers would have to open the packaging in order to indicate their name and address on the radio equipment. The contact details shall be in a language easily understood by end-users and market surveillance authorities. 4. Importers shall ensure that the radio equipment is accompanied by instructions and safety information in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned. 5. Importers shall ensure that, while radio equipment is under their responsibility, its storage or transport conditions do not jeopardise its compliance with the essential requirements set out in Article 3. 6. When deemed appropriate with regard to the risks presented by radio equipment, importers shall, to protect the health and safety of end-users, carry out sample testing of radio equipment made available on the market, investigate, and, if necessary, keep a register of complaints, of non-conforming radio equipment and radio equipment recalls, and shall keep distributors informed of any such monitoring. 7. Importers who consider or have reason to believe that radio equipment which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Directive shall immediately take the corrective measures necessary to bring that radio equipment into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate. Furthermore, where the radio equipment presents a risk, importers shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the radio equipment available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective measures taken. 8. Importers shall, for 10 years after the radio equipment has been placed on the market, keep a copy of the EU declaration of conformity at the disposal of the market surveillance authorities and ensure that the technical documentation can be made available to those authorities, upon request. 9. Importers shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form necessary to demonstrate the conformity of radio equipment in a language which can be easily understood by that authority. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by radio equipment which they have placed on the market.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Since 2009, the Commission has been seeking to limit the fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces for mobile phones and similar devices. However, such initiatives only led to voluntary schemes that are not legally binding and thus do not ensure consistent and uniform application. In June 2009, following a request from the Commission, major producers of mobile telephones agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on harmonising chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU 1 . The signatories agreed to develop a common specification based on the USB 2.0 micro-B interface, which would allow full charging compatibility with the mobile phones to be placed on the market. The MoU reduced market fragmentation and attracted almost global alignment. Its implementation led to an effective reduction in the number of charging solutions for mobile phones from 30 to only three. However, the MoU also allowed for the use of proprietary charging interfaces, and one such solution continued to be used (and still is) by a major mobile phone manufacturer, thus preventing full interoperability. In addition, the MoU never addressed the environmental issues arising from the continued existence of those different charging interfaces and charging communication protocols. Without EU action, this fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols is expected to persist and environmental impacts will remain unaddressed. Ever since the MoU expired in 2014 (after two letters of renewal), the European Commission has been trying to foster the adoption of a new voluntary agreement. In March 2018, following several rounds of discussion among the relevant manufacturers and exchanges of views with the Commission, the industry proposed a new MoU on a future common charging solution for smartphones. However, the Commission did not consider the new MoU to be satisfactory as it is not in line with the EU’s harmonisation objectives, which seek to limit fragmentation of charging solutions (both the charging interfaces and the charging communication protocols) for mobile phones and similar items of radio equipment. The proposed new MoU continued to allow for proprietary solutions (vendor-specific connection means), which the Commission no longer considers justified in view of the technical advantages provided by the introduction of the USB Type-C interface. In this context, the Commission launched in 2018 an impact assessment study for a possible proposal aimed at implementing a common solution for charging mobile phones (and possibly other similar categories or classes of radio equipment). While the original objective of this initiative was to improve consumer convenience, the study concluded, that imposing a common charging interface and a common charging communication protocol on the side of the radio equipment (smartphones, but possibly also tablets, cameras, readers, etc.), while encouraging or imposing unbundling (i.e. the supply to the end-user of the radio equipment without the charging device), would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste (e-waste). It concluded that only harmonising the charging interface (in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging this interface being the charging receptacle) would not achieve full interoperability of charge. In fact, currently, various charging communication protocols exist and not all ensure the same charging performance if a charging device from another brand is used. Additionally, the study concluded that having a common charging device across different types of radio equipment would be likely to increase consumer convenience overall. Regarding wireless charging (i.e. more generally charging technology other than wired charging), the study concluded that if any breakthroughs in wireless charging technology were to happen, this could undermine the rationale for a common connector solution, by significantly reducing the relevance of wired charging solutions in general. In the light of these conclusions, in October 2020 the Commission launched two complementary studies, on unbundling mobile phones and similar portable electronic devices and wireless charging technologies in order to strengthen the evidence base for the proposal. In January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution 2 calling for the urgent adoption of a standard for a common charger for mobile phones in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation. Specifically, the resolution called on the Commission to adopt a legislative measure, if necessary, to establish a common charger. It also urged the Commission to ensure that consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new item of radio equipment and that unbundling measures (consisting in the supply to the end-user of radio equipment without a charging device) should be introduced with a common charging solution, as otherwise the aim of reducing the volume of charging devices produced per year and hence reducing electronic waste (e-waste) would not be achieved. The Commission adjusted 2020 work programme 3 , specifically states that there will be a new proposal on common chargers for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a common charger and as preconditions for impactful and meaningful unbundling, the three supporting studies, which were conducted found that radio equipment shall integrate: a harmonised charging interface at the radio equipment end (the charging receptacle in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging), a minimum common interoperability of charging through a harmonised charging communication protocol, and detailed information about charging requirements of the radio equipment. The design of radio equipment falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU 4 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment . On the other hand, the characteristics of the external power supply are falling within the scope of the Directive 2009/125/EC of establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. 5 This proposal is aimed at preventing fragmentation of the market when it comes to charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing e-waste. In particular, it will: - harmonise the charging interface for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment (tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers) that are recharged via a wired charging, so that they can be recharged by using a common charging receptacle; - guarantee that such devices, where they support fast charging, incorporate at least the same charging communication protocol; - allow for future harmonisation in this area in response to technological developments, including harmonisation of any type of charging interface other than wired charging; - introduce requirements so that end-users are not obliged to purchase a new charging device whenever they purchase a new mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment and; - introduce requirements so that, when purchasing a mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment, end-users receive the necessary information on its charging performance characteristics and the charging device that can be used with it. An Impact Assessment was carried out to examine policy options for: (a) harmonisation of the radio equipment charging interface; (b) support for the relevant charging communication protocol on the radio equipment and informing consumers about the charging performance; and (c) making available on the market of at least unbundled solution. Policy Option (A) Harmonisation of the end-device connector (B) Support of the relevant charging protocol on the end-device and informing consumers about charging performance (C) Making available on the market at least unbundled 6 solutions Option 0 No action No action No action Option 1 Mandatory No action No action Option 2 No action Mandatory No action Option 3 No action Mandatory Mandatory Option 4 Mandatory Mandatory No action Option 5 Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory For all options, there are sub-options of a narrow scope (i.e. covering mobile phones only) or a broader scope (also including certain devices with charging characteristics that are comparable to those of a mobile phone). The preferred policy option is option 5 with a broad scope as it involves the fairest trade-off between all the objectives and allow a win-win situation for the majority of stakeholders and the environment. 
Revised version (Article 12 Obligations of importers):
1. Importers shall place only compliant radio equipment on the market. 2. Where an importer considers or has reason to believe that radio equipment is not in conformity with the essential requirements set out in Article 3, he shall not place the radio equipment on the market until it has been brought into conformity. Furthermore, where the radio equipment presents a risk, the importer shall inform the manufacturer and the market surveillance authorities to that effect. 3. Importers shall indicate on the radio equipment their name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the postal address at which they can be contacted or, where that is not possible, on its packaging or in a document accompanying the radio equipment. This includes cases where the size of radio equipment does not allow it, or where importers would have to open the packaging in order to indicate their name and address on the radio equipment. The contact details shall be in a language easily understood by end-users and market surveillance authorities. 4. Importers shall ensure that the radio equipment is accompanied by instructions and safety information in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users, as determined by the Member State concerned. When making the radio equipment referred to in Article 3(4) available to consumers and other end-users, importers shall ensure that: (a) such radio equipment displays, or is supplied with, a label in accordance with Article 10(8), third subparagraph; (b) that label is displayed in a visible and legible manner and, in the case of distance selling, close to the price indication. 5. Importers shall ensure that, while radio equipment is under their responsibility, its storage or transport conditions do not jeopardise its compliance with the essential requirements set out in Article 3. 6. When deemed appropriate with regard to the risks presented by radio equipment, importers shall, to protect the health and safety of end-users, carry out sample testing of radio equipment made available on the market, investigate, and, if necessary, keep a register of complaints, of non-conforming radio equipment and radio equipment recalls, and shall keep distributors informed of any such monitoring. 7. Importers who consider or have reason to believe that radio equipment which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Directive shall immediately take the corrective measures necessary to bring that radio equipment into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate. Furthermore, where the radio equipment presents a risk, importers shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the radio equipment available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective measures taken. 8. Importers shall, for 10 years after the radio equipment has been placed on the market, keep a copy of the EU declaration of conformity at the disposal of the market surveillance authorities and ensure that the technical documentation can be made available to those authorities, upon request. 9. Importers shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form necessary to demonstrate the conformity of radio equipment in a language which can be easily understood by that authority. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by radio equipment which they have placed on the market.
Article 13 Obligations of distributors
1. When making radio equipment available on the market distributors shall act with due care in relation to the requirements of this Directive. 2. Before making radio equipment available on the market distributors shall verify that the radio equipment bears the CE marking, that it is accompanied by the documents required by this Directive and by the instructions and safety information in a language which can be easily understood by consumers and other end-users in the Member State in which the radio equipment is to be made available on the market, and that the manufacturer and the importer have complied with the requirements set out in Article 10(2) and (6) to (10) and Article 12(3) respectively. Where a distributor considers or has reason to believe that radio equipment is not in conformity with the essential requirements set out in Article 3, he shall not make the radio equipment available on the market until it has been brought into conformity. Furthermore, where the radio equipment presents a risk, the distributor shall inform the manufacturer or the importer to that effect as well as the market surveillance authorities. 3. Distributors shall ensure that, while radio equipment is under their responsibility, its storage or transport conditions do not jeopardise its compliance with the essential requirements set out in Article 3. 4. Distributors who consider or have reason to believe that radio equipment which they have made available on the market is not in conformity with this Directive shall make sure that the corrective measures necessary to bring that radio equipment into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate, are taken. Furthermore, where the radio equipment presents a risk, distributors shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the radio equipment available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective measures taken. 5. Distributors shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form necessary to demonstrate the conformity of radio equipment. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by radio equipment which they have made available on the market.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Since 2009, the Commission has been seeking to limit the fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces for mobile phones and similar devices. However, such initiatives only led to voluntary schemes that are not legally binding and thus do not ensure consistent and uniform application. In June 2009, following a request from the Commission, major producers of mobile telephones agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on harmonising chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU 1 . The signatories agreed to develop a common specification based on the USB 2.0 micro-B interface, which would allow full charging compatibility with the mobile phones to be placed on the market. The MoU reduced market fragmentation and attracted almost global alignment. Its implementation led to an effective reduction in the number of charging solutions for mobile phones from 30 to only three. However, the MoU also allowed for the use of proprietary charging interfaces, and one such solution continued to be used (and still is) by a major mobile phone manufacturer, thus preventing full interoperability. In addition, the MoU never addressed the environmental issues arising from the continued existence of those different charging interfaces and charging communication protocols. Without EU action, this fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols is expected to persist and environmental impacts will remain unaddressed. Ever since the MoU expired in 2014 (after two letters of renewal), the European Commission has been trying to foster the adoption of a new voluntary agreement. In March 2018, following several rounds of discussion among the relevant manufacturers and exchanges of views with the Commission, the industry proposed a new MoU on a future common charging solution for smartphones. However, the Commission did not consider the new MoU to be satisfactory as it is not in line with the EU’s harmonisation objectives, which seek to limit fragmentation of charging solutions (both the charging interfaces and the charging communication protocols) for mobile phones and similar items of radio equipment. The proposed new MoU continued to allow for proprietary solutions (vendor-specific connection means), which the Commission no longer considers justified in view of the technical advantages provided by the introduction of the USB Type-C interface. In this context, the Commission launched in 2018 an impact assessment study for a possible proposal aimed at implementing a common solution for charging mobile phones (and possibly other similar categories or classes of radio equipment). While the original objective of this initiative was to improve consumer convenience, the study concluded, that imposing a common charging interface and a common charging communication protocol on the side of the radio equipment (smartphones, but possibly also tablets, cameras, readers, etc.), while encouraging or imposing unbundling (i.e. the supply to the end-user of the radio equipment without the charging device), would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste (e-waste). It concluded that only harmonising the charging interface (in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging this interface being the charging receptacle) would not achieve full interoperability of charge. In fact, currently, various charging communication protocols exist and not all ensure the same charging performance if a charging device from another brand is used. Additionally, the study concluded that having a common charging device across different types of radio equipment would be likely to increase consumer convenience overall. Regarding wireless charging (i.e. more generally charging technology other than wired charging), the study concluded that if any breakthroughs in wireless charging technology were to happen, this could undermine the rationale for a common connector solution, by significantly reducing the relevance of wired charging solutions in general. In the light of these conclusions, in October 2020 the Commission launched two complementary studies, on unbundling mobile phones and similar portable electronic devices and wireless charging technologies in order to strengthen the evidence base for the proposal. In January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution 2 calling for the urgent adoption of a standard for a common charger for mobile phones in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation. Specifically, the resolution called on the Commission to adopt a legislative measure, if necessary, to establish a common charger. It also urged the Commission to ensure that consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new item of radio equipment and that unbundling measures (consisting in the supply to the end-user of radio equipment without a charging device) should be introduced with a common charging solution, as otherwise the aim of reducing the volume of charging devices produced per year and hence reducing electronic waste (e-waste) would not be achieved. The Commission adjusted 2020 work programme 3 , specifically states that there will be a new proposal on common chargers for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a common charger and as preconditions for impactful and meaningful unbundling, the three supporting studies, which were conducted found that radio equipment shall integrate: a harmonised charging interface at the radio equipment end (the charging receptacle in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging), a minimum common interoperability of charging through a harmonised charging communication protocol, and detailed information about charging requirements of the radio equipment. The design of radio equipment falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU 4 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment . On the other hand, the characteristics of the external power supply are falling within the scope of the Directive 2009/125/EC of establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. 5 This proposal is aimed at preventing fragmentation of the market when it comes to charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing e-waste. In particular, it will: - harmonise the charging interface for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment (tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers) that are recharged via a wired charging, so that they can be recharged by using a common charging receptacle; - guarantee that such devices, where they support fast charging, incorporate at least the same charging communication protocol; - allow for future harmonisation in this area in response to technological developments, including harmonisation of any type of charging interface other than wired charging; - introduce requirements so that end-users are not obliged to purchase a new charging device whenever they purchase a new mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment and; - introduce requirements so that, when purchasing a mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment, end-users receive the necessary information on its charging performance characteristics and the charging device that can be used with it. An Impact Assessment was carried out to examine policy options for: (a) harmonisation of the radio equipment charging interface; (b) support for the relevant charging communication protocol on the radio equipment and informing consumers about the charging performance; and (c) making available on the market of at least unbundled solution. Policy Option (A) Harmonisation of the end-device connector (B) Support of the relevant charging protocol on the end-device and informing consumers about charging performance (C) Making available on the market at least unbundled 6 solutions Option 0 No action No action No action Option 1 Mandatory No action No action Option 2 No action Mandatory No action Option 3 No action Mandatory Mandatory Option 4 Mandatory Mandatory No action Option 5 Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory For all options, there are sub-options of a narrow scope (i.e. covering mobile phones only) or a broader scope (also including certain devices with charging characteristics that are comparable to those of a mobile phone). The preferred policy option is option 5 with a broad scope as it involves the fairest trade-off between all the objectives and allow a win-win situation for the majority of stakeholders and the environment. 
Revised version (Article 13 Obligations of distributors):
1. When making radio equipment available on the market distributors shall act with due care in relation to the requirements of this Directive. 2. Where a distributor considers or has reason to believe that radio equipment is not in conformity with the essential requirements set out in Article 3, he shall not make the radio equipment available on the market until it has been brought into conformity. Furthermore, where the radio equipment presents a risk, the distributor shall inform the manufacturer or the importer to that effect as well as the market surveillance authorities. When making the radio equipment referred to in Article 3(4) available to consumers and other end-users, distributors shall ensure that: (a) such radio equipment displays, or is supplied with, a label in accordance with Article 10(8), third subparagraph; (b) that label is displayed in a visible and legible manner and, in the case of distance selling, close to the price indication. 3. Distributors shall ensure that, while radio equipment is under their responsibility, its storage or transport conditions do not jeopardise its compliance with the essential requirements set out in Article 3. 4. Distributors who consider or have reason to believe that radio equipment which they have made available on the market is not in conformity with this Directive shall make sure that the corrective measures necessary to bring that radio equipment into conformity, to withdraw it or recall it, if appropriate, are taken. Furthermore, where the radio equipment presents a risk, distributors shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the radio equipment available on the market to that effect, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of any corrective measures taken. 5. Distributors shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation in paper or electronic form necessary to demonstrate the conformity of radio equipment. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to eliminate the risks posed by radio equipment which they have made available on the market.
Article 14 Cases in which obligations of manufacturers apply to importers and distributors
An importer or distributor shall be considered a manufacturer for the purposes of this Directive and he shall be subject to the obligations of the manufacturer under Article 10, where he places radio equipment on the market under his name or trade mark or modifies radio equipment already placed on the market in such a way that compliance with this Directive may be affected.
Article 15 Identification of economic operators
Economic operators shall, on request, identify the following to the market surveillance authorities: (a) any economic operator who has supplied them with radio equipment; (b) any economic operator to whom they have supplied radio equipment. Economic operators shall be able to present the information referred to in the first paragraph for 10 years after they have been supplied with the radio equipment and for 10 years after they have supplied the radio equipment.
Article 16 Presumption of conformity of radio equipment
Radio equipment which is in conformity with harmonised standards or parts thereof the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union shall be presumed to be in conformity with the essential requirements set out in Article 3 covered by those standards or parts thereof.
Article 17 Conformity assessment procedures
1. The manufacturer shall perform a conformity assessment of the radio equipment with a view to meeting the essential requirements set out in Article 3. The conformity assessment shall take into account all intended operating conditions and, for the essential requirement set out in point (a) of Article 3(1), the assessment shall also take into account the reasonably foreseeable conditions. Where the radio equipment is capable of taking different configurations, the conformity assessment shall confirm whether the radio equipment meets the essential requirements set out in Article 3 in all possible configurations. 2. Manufacturers shall demonstrate compliance of radio equipment with the essential requirements set out in Article 3(1) using any of the following conformity assessment procedures: (a) internal production control set out in Annex II; (b) EU-type examination that is followed by the conformity to type based on internal production control set out in Annex III; (c) conformity based on full quality assurance set out in Annex IV. 3. Where, in assessing the compliance of radio equipment with the essential requirements set out in Article 3(2) and (3), the manufacturer has applied harmonised standards the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union , he shall use any of the following procedures: 4. Where, in assessing the compliance of radio equipment with the essential requirements set out in Article 3(2) and (3), the manufacturer has not applied or has applied only in part harmonised standards the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union , or where such harmonised standards do not exist, radio equipment shall be submitted with regard to those essential requirements to either of the following procedures:
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Since 2009, the Commission has been seeking to limit the fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces for mobile phones and similar devices. However, such initiatives only led to voluntary schemes that are not legally binding and thus do not ensure consistent and uniform application. In June 2009, following a request from the Commission, major producers of mobile telephones agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on harmonising chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU 1 . The signatories agreed to develop a common specification based on the USB 2.0 micro-B interface, which would allow full charging compatibility with the mobile phones to be placed on the market. The MoU reduced market fragmentation and attracted almost global alignment. Its implementation led to an effective reduction in the number of charging solutions for mobile phones from 30 to only three. However, the MoU also allowed for the use of proprietary charging interfaces, and one such solution continued to be used (and still is) by a major mobile phone manufacturer, thus preventing full interoperability. In addition, the MoU never addressed the environmental issues arising from the continued existence of those different charging interfaces and charging communication protocols. Without EU action, this fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols is expected to persist and environmental impacts will remain unaddressed. Ever since the MoU expired in 2014 (after two letters of renewal), the European Commission has been trying to foster the adoption of a new voluntary agreement. In March 2018, following several rounds of discussion among the relevant manufacturers and exchanges of views with the Commission, the industry proposed a new MoU on a future common charging solution for smartphones. However, the Commission did not consider the new MoU to be satisfactory as it is not in line with the EU’s harmonisation objectives, which seek to limit fragmentation of charging solutions (both the charging interfaces and the charging communication protocols) for mobile phones and similar items of radio equipment. The proposed new MoU continued to allow for proprietary solutions (vendor-specific connection means), which the Commission no longer considers justified in view of the technical advantages provided by the introduction of the USB Type-C interface. In this context, the Commission launched in 2018 an impact assessment study for a possible proposal aimed at implementing a common solution for charging mobile phones (and possibly other similar categories or classes of radio equipment). While the original objective of this initiative was to improve consumer convenience, the study concluded, that imposing a common charging interface and a common charging communication protocol on the side of the radio equipment (smartphones, but possibly also tablets, cameras, readers, etc.), while encouraging or imposing unbundling (i.e. the supply to the end-user of the radio equipment without the charging device), would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste (e-waste). It concluded that only harmonising the charging interface (in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging this interface being the charging receptacle) would not achieve full interoperability of charge. In fact, currently, various charging communication protocols exist and not all ensure the same charging performance if a charging device from another brand is used. Additionally, the study concluded that having a common charging device across different types of radio equipment would be likely to increase consumer convenience overall. Regarding wireless charging (i.e. more generally charging technology other than wired charging), the study concluded that if any breakthroughs in wireless charging technology were to happen, this could undermine the rationale for a common connector solution, by significantly reducing the relevance of wired charging solutions in general. In the light of these conclusions, in October 2020 the Commission launched two complementary studies, on unbundling mobile phones and similar portable electronic devices and wireless charging technologies in order to strengthen the evidence base for the proposal. In January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution 2 calling for the urgent adoption of a standard for a common charger for mobile phones in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation. Specifically, the resolution called on the Commission to adopt a legislative measure, if necessary, to establish a common charger. It also urged the Commission to ensure that consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new item of radio equipment and that unbundling measures (consisting in the supply to the end-user of radio equipment without a charging device) should be introduced with a common charging solution, as otherwise the aim of reducing the volume of charging devices produced per year and hence reducing electronic waste (e-waste) would not be achieved. The Commission adjusted 2020 work programme 3 , specifically states that there will be a new proposal on common chargers for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a common charger and as preconditions for impactful and meaningful unbundling, the three supporting studies, which were conducted found that radio equipment shall integrate: a harmonised charging interface at the radio equipment end (the charging receptacle in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging), a minimum common interoperability of charging through a harmonised charging communication protocol, and detailed information about charging requirements of the radio equipment. The design of radio equipment falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU 4 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment . On the other hand, the characteristics of the external power supply are falling within the scope of the Directive 2009/125/EC of establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. 5 This proposal is aimed at preventing fragmentation of the market when it comes to charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing e-waste. In particular, it will: - harmonise the charging interface for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment (tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers) that are recharged via a wired charging, so that they can be recharged by using a common charging receptacle; - guarantee that such devices, where they support fast charging, incorporate at least the same charging communication protocol; - allow for future harmonisation in this area in response to technological developments, including harmonisation of any type of charging interface other than wired charging; - introduce requirements so that end-users are not obliged to purchase a new charging device whenever they purchase a new mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment and; - introduce requirements so that, when purchasing a mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment, end-users receive the necessary information on its charging performance characteristics and the charging device that can be used with it. An Impact Assessment was carried out to examine policy options for: (a) harmonisation of the radio equipment charging interface; (b) support for the relevant charging communication protocol on the radio equipment and informing consumers about the charging performance; and (c) making available on the market of at least unbundled solution. Policy Option (A) Harmonisation of the end-device connector (B) Support of the relevant charging protocol on the end-device and informing consumers about charging performance (C) Making available on the market at least unbundled 6 solutions Option 0 No action No action No action Option 1 Mandatory No action No action Option 2 No action Mandatory No action Option 3 No action Mandatory Mandatory Option 4 Mandatory Mandatory No action Option 5 Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory For all options, there are sub-options of a narrow scope (i.e. covering mobile phones only) or a broader scope (also including certain devices with charging characteristics that are comparable to those of a mobile phone). The preferred policy option is option 5 with a broad scope as it involves the fairest trade-off between all the objectives and allow a win-win situation for the majority of stakeholders and the environment. 
Revised version (Article 17 Conformity assessment procedures):
1. The manufacturer shall perform a conformity assessment of the radio equipment with a view to meeting the essential requirements set out in Article 3. The conformity assessment shall take into account all intended operating conditions and, for the essential requirement set out in point (a) of Article 3(1), the assessment shall also take into account the reasonably foreseeable conditions. Where the radio equipment is capable of taking different configurations, the conformity assessment shall confirm whether the radio equipment meets the essential requirements set out in Article 3 in all possible configurations.
Article 18 EU declaration of conformity
1. The EU declaration of conformity shall state that the fulfilment of the essential requirements set out in Article 3 has been demonstrated. 2. The EU declaration of conformity shall have the model structure set out in Annex VI, shall contain the elements set out in that Annex and shall be continuously updated. It shall be translated into the language or languages required by the Member State in which the radio equipment is placed or made available on the market. The simplified EU declaration of conformity referred to in Article 10(9) shall contain the elements set out in Annex VII and shall be continuously updated. It shall be translated into the language or languages required by the Member State in which the radio equipment is placed or made available on the market. The full text of the EU declaration of conformity shall be available at the internet address referred to in the simplified EU declaration of conformity, in a language or languages required by the Member State in which the radio equipment is placed or made available on the market. 3. Where radio equipment is subject to more than one Union act requiring an EU declaration of conformity, a single EU declaration of conformity shall be drawn up in respect of all such Union acts. That declaration shall contain the identification of the Union acts concerned including their publication references. 4. By drawing up the EU declaration of conformity, the manufacturer shall assume responsibility for the compliance of the radio equipment with the requirements laid down in this Directive.
Article 19 General principles of the CE marking
1. The CE marking shall be subject to the general principles set out in Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. 2. On account of the nature of radio equipment, the height of the CE marking affixed to radio equipment may be lower than 5 mm, provided that it remains visible and legible.
Article 20 Rules and conditions for affixing the CE marking and the identification number of the notified body
1. The CE marking shall be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly to the radio equipment or to its data plate, unless that is not possible or not warranted on account of the nature of radio equipment. The CE marking shall also be affixed visibly and legibly to the packaging. 2. The CE marking shall be affixed before the radio equipment is placed on the market. 3. The CE marking shall be followed by the identification number of the notified body where the conformity assessment procedure set out in Annex IV is applied. The identification number of the notified body shall have the same height as the CE marking. The identification number of the notified body shall be affixed by the notified body itself or, under its instructions, by the manufacturer or his authorised representative. 4. Member States shall build upon existing mechanisms to ensure correct application of the regime governing the CE marking and shall take appropriate action in the event of improper use of that marking.
Article 21 Technical documentation
1. The technical documentation shall contain all relevant data or details of the means used by the manufacturer to ensure that radio equipment complies with the essential requirements set out in Article 3. It shall, at least, contain the elements set out in Annex V. 2. The technical documentation shall be drawn up before radio equipment is placed on the market and shall be continuously updated. 3. The technical documentation and correspondence relating to any EU-type examination procedure shall be drawn up in an official language of the Member State in which the notified body is established or in a language acceptable to that body. 4. Where the technical documentation does not comply with paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of this Article, and in so doing fails to present sufficient relevant data or means used to ensure compliance of radio equipment with the essential requirements set out in Article 3, the market surveillance authority may ask the manufacturer or the importer to have a test performed by a body acceptable to the market surveillance authority at the expense of the manufacturer or the importer within a specified period in order to verify compliance with the essential requirements set out in Article 3.
Article 22 Notification
Member States shall notify the Commission and the other Member States of bodies authorised to carry out third-party conformity assessment tasks under this Directive.
Article 23 Notifying authorities
1. Member States shall designate a notifying authority that shall be responsible for setting up and carrying out the necessary procedures for the assessment and notification of conformity assessment bodies and the monitoring of notified bodies, including compliance with Article 28. 2. Member States may decide that the assessment and monitoring referred to in paragraph 1 shall be carried out by a national accreditation body within the meaning of and in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. 3. Where the notifying authority delegates or otherwise entrusts the assessment, notification or monitoring referred to in paragraph 1 to a body which is not a governmental entity, that body shall be a legal entity and shall comply mutatis mutandis with the requirements laid down in Article 24. In addition it shall have arrangements to cover liabilities arising out of its activities. 4. The notifying authority shall take full responsibility for the tasks performed by the body referred to in paragraph 3.
Article 24 Requirements relating to notifying authorities
1. A notifying authority shall be established in such a way that no conflict of interest with conformity assessment bodies occurs. 2. A notifying authority shall be organised and operated so as to safeguard the objectivity and impartiality of its activities. 3. A notifying authority shall be organised in such a way that each decision relating to notification of a conformity assessment body is taken by competent persons different from those who carried out the assessment. 4. A notifying authority shall not offer or provide any activities that conformity assessment bodies perform or consultancy services on a commercial or competitive basis. 5. A notifying authority shall safeguard the confidentiality of the information it obtains. 6. A notifying authority shall have a sufficient number of competent personnel at its disposal for the proper performance of its tasks.
Article 25 Information obligation on notifying authorities
Member States shall inform the Commission of their procedures for the assessment and notification of conformity assessment bodies and the monitoring of notified bodies, and of any changes thereto. The Commission shall make that information publicly available.
Article 26 Requirements relating to notified bodies
1. For the purposes of notification, a conformity assessment body shall meet the requirements laid down in paragraphs 2 to 11. 2. A conformity assessment body shall be established under national law of a Member State and have legal personality. 3. A conformity assessment body shall be a third-party body independent of the organisation or the radio equipment it assesses. A body belonging to a business association or professional federation representing undertakings involved in the design, manufacturing, provision, assembly, use or maintenance of radio equipment which it assesses may, on condition that its independence and the absence of any conflict of interest are demonstrated, be considered such a body. 4. A conformity assessment body, its top level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks shall not be the designer, manufacturer, supplier, installer, purchaser, owner, user or maintainer of the radio equipment which they assess, nor the representative of any of those parties. This shall not preclude the use of assessed radio equipment that is necessary for the operations of the conformity assessment body or the use of such radio equipment for personal purposes. A conformity assessment body, its top level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks shall not be directly involved in the design, manufacture or construction, the marketing, installation, use or maintenance of that radio equipment, or represent the parties engaged in those activities. They shall not engage in any activity that may conflict with their independence of judgement or integrity in relation to conformity assessment activities for which they are notified. This shall in particular apply to consultancy services. Conformity assessment bodies shall ensure that the activities of their subsidiaries or subcontractors do not affect the confidentiality, objectivity or impartiality of their conformity assessment activities. 5. Conformity assessment bodies and their personnel shall carry out the conformity assessment activities with the highest degree of professional integrity and the requisite technical competence in the specific field and shall be free from all pressures and inducements, particularly financial, which might influence their judgement or the results of their conformity assessment activities, especially as regards persons or groups of persons with an interest in the results of those activities. 6. A conformity assessment body shall be capable of carrying out all the conformity assessment tasks assigned to it by Annexes III and IV in relation to which it has been notified, whether those tasks are carried out by the conformity assessment body itself or on its behalf and under its responsibility. At all times and for each conformity assessment procedure and each kind or category of radio equipment in relation to which it has been notified, a conformity assessment body shall have at its disposal the necessary: (a) personnel with technical knowledge and sufficient and appropriate experience to perform the conformity assessment tasks; (b) descriptions of procedures in accordance with which conformity assessment is carried out, ensuring the transparency and the ability of reproduction of those procedures. It shall have appropriate policies and procedures in place that distinguish between tasks it carries out as a notified body and other activities; (c) procedures for the performance of activities which take due account of the size of an undertaking, the sector in which it operates, its structure, the degree of complexity of radio equipment technology in question and the mass or serial nature of the production process. A conformity assessment body shall have the means necessary to perform the technical and administrative tasks connected with the conformity assessment activities in an appropriate manner. 7. The personnel responsible for carrying out conformity assessment tasks shall have the following: (a) sound technical and vocational training covering all the conformity assessment activities in relation to which the conformity assessment body has been notified; (b) satisfactory knowledge of the requirements of the assessments they carry out and adequate authority to carry out those assessments; (c) appropriate knowledge and understanding of the essential requirements set out in Article 3, of the applicable harmonised standards and of the relevant provisions of Union harmonisation legislation and of national legislation; (d) the ability to draw up EU-type examination certificates or quality system approvals, records and reports demonstrating that assessments have been carried out. 8. The impartiality of the conformity assessment bodies, their top level management and of the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks shall be guaranteed. The remuneration of the top level management and personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks of a conformity assessment body shall not depend on the number of assessments carried out or on the results of those assessments. 9. Conformity assessment bodies shall take out liability insurance unless liability is assumed by the State in accordance with national law, or the Member State itself is directly responsible for the conformity assessment. 10. The personnel of a conformity assessment body shall observe professional secrecy with regard to all information obtained in carrying out their tasks under Annexes III and IV or any provision of national law giving effect to them, except in relation to the competent authorities of the Member State in which its activities are carried out. Proprietary rights shall be protected. 11. Conformity assessment bodies shall participate in, or ensure that their personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks are informed of, the relevant standardisation activities, the regulatory activities in the area of radio equipment and frequency planning, and the activities of the notified body coordination group established under the relevant Union harmonisation legislation and shall apply as general guidance the administrative decisions and documents produced as a result of the work of that group.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Since 2009, the Commission has been seeking to limit the fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces for mobile phones and similar devices. However, such initiatives only led to voluntary schemes that are not legally binding and thus do not ensure consistent and uniform application. In June 2009, following a request from the Commission, major producers of mobile telephones agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on harmonising chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU 1 . The signatories agreed to develop a common specification based on the USB 2.0 micro-B interface, which would allow full charging compatibility with the mobile phones to be placed on the market. The MoU reduced market fragmentation and attracted almost global alignment. Its implementation led to an effective reduction in the number of charging solutions for mobile phones from 30 to only three. However, the MoU also allowed for the use of proprietary charging interfaces, and one such solution continued to be used (and still is) by a major mobile phone manufacturer, thus preventing full interoperability. In addition, the MoU never addressed the environmental issues arising from the continued existence of those different charging interfaces and charging communication protocols. Without EU action, this fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols is expected to persist and environmental impacts will remain unaddressed. Ever since the MoU expired in 2014 (after two letters of renewal), the European Commission has been trying to foster the adoption of a new voluntary agreement. In March 2018, following several rounds of discussion among the relevant manufacturers and exchanges of views with the Commission, the industry proposed a new MoU on a future common charging solution for smartphones. However, the Commission did not consider the new MoU to be satisfactory as it is not in line with the EU’s harmonisation objectives, which seek to limit fragmentation of charging solutions (both the charging interfaces and the charging communication protocols) for mobile phones and similar items of radio equipment. The proposed new MoU continued to allow for proprietary solutions (vendor-specific connection means), which the Commission no longer considers justified in view of the technical advantages provided by the introduction of the USB Type-C interface. In this context, the Commission launched in 2018 an impact assessment study for a possible proposal aimed at implementing a common solution for charging mobile phones (and possibly other similar categories or classes of radio equipment). While the original objective of this initiative was to improve consumer convenience, the study concluded, that imposing a common charging interface and a common charging communication protocol on the side of the radio equipment (smartphones, but possibly also tablets, cameras, readers, etc.), while encouraging or imposing unbundling (i.e. the supply to the end-user of the radio equipment without the charging device), would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste (e-waste). It concluded that only harmonising the charging interface (in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging this interface being the charging receptacle) would not achieve full interoperability of charge. In fact, currently, various charging communication protocols exist and not all ensure the same charging performance if a charging device from another brand is used. Additionally, the study concluded that having a common charging device across different types of radio equipment would be likely to increase consumer convenience overall. Regarding wireless charging (i.e. more generally charging technology other than wired charging), the study concluded that if any breakthroughs in wireless charging technology were to happen, this could undermine the rationale for a common connector solution, by significantly reducing the relevance of wired charging solutions in general. In the light of these conclusions, in October 2020 the Commission launched two complementary studies, on unbundling mobile phones and similar portable electronic devices and wireless charging technologies in order to strengthen the evidence base for the proposal. In January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution 2 calling for the urgent adoption of a standard for a common charger for mobile phones in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation. Specifically, the resolution called on the Commission to adopt a legislative measure, if necessary, to establish a common charger. It also urged the Commission to ensure that consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new item of radio equipment and that unbundling measures (consisting in the supply to the end-user of radio equipment without a charging device) should be introduced with a common charging solution, as otherwise the aim of reducing the volume of charging devices produced per year and hence reducing electronic waste (e-waste) would not be achieved. The Commission adjusted 2020 work programme 3 , specifically states that there will be a new proposal on common chargers for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a common charger and as preconditions for impactful and meaningful unbundling, the three supporting studies, which were conducted found that radio equipment shall integrate: a harmonised charging interface at the radio equipment end (the charging receptacle in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging), a minimum common interoperability of charging through a harmonised charging communication protocol, and detailed information about charging requirements of the radio equipment. The design of radio equipment falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU 4 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment . On the other hand, the characteristics of the external power supply are falling within the scope of the Directive 2009/125/EC of establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. 5 This proposal is aimed at preventing fragmentation of the market when it comes to charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing e-waste. In particular, it will: - harmonise the charging interface for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment (tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers) that are recharged via a wired charging, so that they can be recharged by using a common charging receptacle; - guarantee that such devices, where they support fast charging, incorporate at least the same charging communication protocol; - allow for future harmonisation in this area in response to technological developments, including harmonisation of any type of charging interface other than wired charging; - introduce requirements so that end-users are not obliged to purchase a new charging device whenever they purchase a new mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment and; - introduce requirements so that, when purchasing a mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment, end-users receive the necessary information on its charging performance characteristics and the charging device that can be used with it. An Impact Assessment was carried out to examine policy options for: (a) harmonisation of the radio equipment charging interface; (b) support for the relevant charging communication protocol on the radio equipment and informing consumers about the charging performance; and (c) making available on the market of at least unbundled solution. Policy Option (A) Harmonisation of the end-device connector (B) Support of the relevant charging protocol on the end-device and informing consumers about charging performance (C) Making available on the market at least unbundled 6 solutions Option 0 No action No action No action Option 1 Mandatory No action No action Option 2 No action Mandatory No action Option 3 No action Mandatory Mandatory Option 4 Mandatory Mandatory No action Option 5 Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory For all options, there are sub-options of a narrow scope (i.e. covering mobile phones only) or a broader scope (also including certain devices with charging characteristics that are comparable to those of a mobile phone). The preferred policy option is option 5 with a broad scope as it involves the fairest trade-off between all the objectives and allow a win-win situation for the majority of stakeholders and the environment. 
Revised version (Article 26 Requirements relating to notified bodies):
1. For the purposes of notification, a conformity assessment body shall meet the requirements laid down in paragraphs 2 to 11. 2. A conformity assessment body shall be established under national law of a Member State and have legal personality. 3. A conformity assessment body shall be a third-party body independent of the organisation or the radio equipment it assesses. A body belonging to a business association or professional federation representing undertakings involved in the design, manufacturing, provision, assembly, use or maintenance of radio equipment which it assesses may, on condition that its independence and the absence of any conflict of interest are demonstrated, be considered such a body. 4. A conformity assessment body, its top level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks shall not be the designer, manufacturer, supplier, installer, purchaser, owner, user or maintainer of the radio equipment which they assess, nor the representative of any of those parties. This shall not preclude the use of assessed radio equipment that is necessary for the operations of the conformity assessment body or the use of such radio equipment for personal purposes. A conformity assessment body, its top level management and the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks shall not be directly involved in the design, manufacture or construction, the marketing, installation, use or maintenance of that radio equipment, or represent the parties engaged in those activities. They shall not engage in any activity that may conflict with their independence of judgement or integrity in relation to conformity assessment activities for which they are notified. This shall in particular apply to consultancy services. Conformity assessment bodies shall ensure that the activities of their subsidiaries or subcontractors do not affect the confidentiality, objectivity or impartiality of their conformity assessment activities. 5. Conformity assessment bodies and their personnel shall carry out the conformity assessment activities with the highest degree of professional integrity and the requisite technical competence in the specific field and shall be free from all pressures and inducements, particularly financial, which might influence their judgement or the results of their conformity assessment activities, especially as regards persons or groups of persons with an interest in the results of those activities. 6. A conformity assessment body shall be capable of carrying out all the conformity assessment tasks assigned to it by Annexes III and IV in relation to which it has been notified, whether those tasks are carried out by the conformity assessment body itself or on its behalf and under its responsibility. At all times and for each conformity assessment procedure and each kind or category of radio equipment in relation to which it has been notified, a conformity assessment body shall have at its disposal the necessary: (a) personnel with technical knowledge and sufficient and appropriate experience to perform the conformity assessment tasks; (b) descriptions of procedures in accordance with which conformity assessment is carried out, ensuring the transparency and the ability of reproduction of those procedures. It shall have appropriate policies and procedures in place that distinguish between tasks it carries out as a notified body and other activities; (c) procedures for the performance of activities which take due account of the size of an undertaking, the sector in which it operates, its structure, the degree of complexity of radio equipment technology in question and the mass or serial nature of the production process. A conformity assessment body shall have the means necessary to perform the technical and administrative tasks connected with the conformity assessment activities in an appropriate manner. 8. The impartiality of the conformity assessment bodies, their top level management and of the personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks shall be guaranteed. The remuneration of the top level management and personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks of a conformity assessment body shall not depend on the number of assessments carried out or on the results of those assessments. 9. Conformity assessment bodies shall take out liability insurance unless liability is assumed by the State in accordance with national law, or the Member State itself is directly responsible for the conformity assessment. 10. The personnel of a conformity assessment body shall observe professional secrecy with regard to all information obtained in carrying out their tasks under Annexes III and IV or any provision of national law giving effect to them, except in relation to the competent authorities of the Member State in which its activities are carried out. Proprietary rights shall be protected. 11. Conformity assessment bodies shall participate in, or ensure that their personnel responsible for carrying out the conformity assessment tasks are informed of, the relevant standardisation activities, the regulatory activities in the area of radio equipment and frequency planning, and the activities of the notified body coordination group established under the relevant Union harmonisation legislation and shall apply as general guidance the administrative decisions and documents produced as a result of the work of that group.
Article 27 Presumption of conformity of notified bodies
Where a conformity assessment body demonstrates its conformity with the criteria laid down in the relevant harmonised standards or parts thereof the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union it shall be presumed to comply with the requirements set out in Article 26 in so far as the applicable harmonised standards cover those requirements.
Article 28 Subsidiaries of and subcontracting by notified bodies
1. Where a notified body subcontracts specific tasks connected with conformity assessment or has recourse to a subsidiary, it shall ensure that the subcontractor or the subsidiary meets the requirements set out in Article 26 and shall inform the notifying authority accordingly. 2. Notified bodies shall take full responsibility for the tasks performed by subcontractors or subsidiaries wherever these are established. 3. Activities may be subcontracted or carried out by a subsidiary only with the agreement of the client. 4. Notified bodies shall keep at the disposal of the notifying authority the relevant documents concerning the assessment of the qualifications of the subcontractor or the subsidiary and the work carried out by them under Annexes III and IV.
Article 29 Application for notification
1. A conformity assessment body shall submit an application for notification to the notifying authority of the Member State in which it is established. 2. The application for notification shall be accompanied by a description of the conformity assessment activities, the conformity assessment module or modules and the radio equipment for which that body claims to be competent, as well as by an accreditation certificate, where one exists, issued by a national accreditation body attesting that the conformity assessment body fulfils the requirements laid down in Article 26. 3. Where the conformity assessment body concerned cannot provide an accreditation certificate, it shall provide the notifying authority with all the documentary evidence necessary for the verification, recognition and regular monitoring of its compliance with the requirements laid down in Article 26.
Article 30 Notification procedure
1. Notifying authorities may notify only conformity assessment bodies which have satisfied the requirements laid down in Article 26. 2. They shall notify the Commission and the other Member States using the electronic notification tool developed and managed by the Commission. 3. The notification shall include full details of the conformity assessment activities, the conformity assessment module or modules and the radio equipment concerned and the relevant attestation of competence. 4. Where a notification is not based on an accreditation certificate as referred to in Article 29(2), the notifying authority shall provide the Commission and the other Member States with documentary evidence which attests to the conformity assessment body's competence and the arrangements in place to ensure that that body will be monitored regularly and will continue to satisfy the requirements laid down in Article 26. 5. The body concerned may perform the activities of a notified body only where no objections are raised by the Commission or the other Member States within two weeks of a notification where an accreditation certificate is used or within two months of a notification where accreditation is not used. Only such a body shall be considered a notified body for the purposes of this Directive. 6. The notifying authority shall notify the Commission and the other Member States of any subsequent relevant changes to the notification.
Article 31 Identification numbers and lists of notified bodies
1. The Commission shall assign an identification number to a notified body. It shall assign a single such number even where the body is notified under several Union acts. 2. The Commission shall make publicly available the list of the bodies notified under this Directive, including the identification numbers that have been assigned to them and the activities for which they have been notified. The Commission shall ensure that the list is kept up to date.
Article 32 Changes to notifications
1. Where a notifying authority has ascertained or has been informed that a notified body no longer meets the requirements laid down in Article 26, or that it is failing to fulfil its obligations, the notifying authority shall restrict, suspend or withdraw notification as appropriate, depending on the seriousness of the failure to meet those requirements or fulfil those obligations. It shall immediately inform the Commission and the other Member States accordingly. 2. In the event of restriction, suspension or withdrawal of notification, or where the notified body has ceased its activity, the notifying Member State shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the files of that body are either processed by another notified body or kept available for the responsible notifying and market surveillance authorities at their request.
Article 33 Challenge of the competence of notified bodies
1. The Commission shall investigate all cases where it doubts, or doubt is brought to its attention regarding, the competence of a notified body or the continued fulfilment by a notified body of the requirements and responsibilities to which it is subject. 2. The notifying Member State shall provide the Commission, on request, with all information relating to the basis for the notification or the maintenance of the competence of the notified body concerned. 3. The Commission shall ensure that all sensitive information obtained in the course of its investigations is treated confidentially. 4. Where the Commission ascertains that a notified body does not meet or no longer meets the requirements for its notification, it shall adopt an implementing act requesting the notifying Member State to take the necessary corrective measures, including withdrawal of notification if necessary. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 45(2).
Article 34 Operational obligations of notified bodies
1. Notified bodies shall carry out conformity assessments in accordance with the conformity assessment procedures provided for in Annexes III and IV. 2. Conformity assessments shall be carried out in a proportionate manner, avoiding unnecessary burdens for economic operators. Conformity assessment bodies shall perform their activities taking due account of the size of an undertaking, the sector in which it operates, its structure, the degree of complexity of the radio equipment technology in question and the mass or serial nature of the production process. In so doing they shall nevertheless respect the degree of rigour and the level of protection required for the compliance of the radio equipment with this Directive. 3. Where a notified body finds that the essential requirements set out in Article 3 or corresponding harmonised standards or other technical specifications have not been met by a manufacturer, it shall require that manufacturer to take appropriate corrective measures and shall not issue an EU-type examination certificate or a quality system approval. 4. Where, in the course of the monitoring of conformity following the issue of an EU-type examination certificate or a quality system approval, a notified body finds that radio equipment no longer complies, it shall require the manufacturer to take appropriate corrective measures and shall suspend or withdraw the EU-type examination certificate or the quality system approval if necessary. 5. Where corrective measures are not taken or do not have the required effect, the notified body shall restrict, suspend or withdraw any EU-type examination certificates or quality system approvals, as appropriate.
Article 35 Appeal against decisions of notified bodies
Member States shall ensure that an appeal procedure against decisions of the notified bodies is available.
Article 36 Information obligation on notified bodies
1. Notified bodies shall inform the notifying authority of the following: (a) any refusal, restriction, suspension or withdrawal of an EU-type examination certificate or a quality system approval in accordance with the requirements of Annexes III and IV; (b) any circumstances affecting the scope of or conditions for notification; (c) any request for information which they have received from market surveillance authorities regarding conformity assessment activities; (d) on request, conformity assessment activities performed within the scope of their notification and any other activity performed, including cross-border activities and subcontracting. 2. Notified bodies shall, in accordance with the requirements of Annexes III and IV, provide the other bodies notified under this Directive carrying out similar conformity assessment activities covering the same categories of radio equipment with relevant information on issues relating to negative and, on request, positive conformity assessment results. 3. Notified bodies shall fulfil information obligations under Annexes III and IV.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Since 2009, the Commission has been seeking to limit the fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces for mobile phones and similar devices. However, such initiatives only led to voluntary schemes that are not legally binding and thus do not ensure consistent and uniform application. In June 2009, following a request from the Commission, major producers of mobile telephones agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on harmonising chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU 1 . The signatories agreed to develop a common specification based on the USB 2.0 micro-B interface, which would allow full charging compatibility with the mobile phones to be placed on the market. The MoU reduced market fragmentation and attracted almost global alignment. Its implementation led to an effective reduction in the number of charging solutions for mobile phones from 30 to only three. However, the MoU also allowed for the use of proprietary charging interfaces, and one such solution continued to be used (and still is) by a major mobile phone manufacturer, thus preventing full interoperability. In addition, the MoU never addressed the environmental issues arising from the continued existence of those different charging interfaces and charging communication protocols. Without EU action, this fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols is expected to persist and environmental impacts will remain unaddressed. Ever since the MoU expired in 2014 (after two letters of renewal), the European Commission has been trying to foster the adoption of a new voluntary agreement. In March 2018, following several rounds of discussion among the relevant manufacturers and exchanges of views with the Commission, the industry proposed a new MoU on a future common charging solution for smartphones. However, the Commission did not consider the new MoU to be satisfactory as it is not in line with the EU’s harmonisation objectives, which seek to limit fragmentation of charging solutions (both the charging interfaces and the charging communication protocols) for mobile phones and similar items of radio equipment. The proposed new MoU continued to allow for proprietary solutions (vendor-specific connection means), which the Commission no longer considers justified in view of the technical advantages provided by the introduction of the USB Type-C interface. In this context, the Commission launched in 2018 an impact assessment study for a possible proposal aimed at implementing a common solution for charging mobile phones (and possibly other similar categories or classes of radio equipment). While the original objective of this initiative was to improve consumer convenience, the study concluded, that imposing a common charging interface and a common charging communication protocol on the side of the radio equipment (smartphones, but possibly also tablets, cameras, readers, etc.), while encouraging or imposing unbundling (i.e. the supply to the end-user of the radio equipment without the charging device), would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste (e-waste). It concluded that only harmonising the charging interface (in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging this interface being the charging receptacle) would not achieve full interoperability of charge. In fact, currently, various charging communication protocols exist and not all ensure the same charging performance if a charging device from another brand is used. Additionally, the study concluded that having a common charging device across different types of radio equipment would be likely to increase consumer convenience overall. Regarding wireless charging (i.e. more generally charging technology other than wired charging), the study concluded that if any breakthroughs in wireless charging technology were to happen, this could undermine the rationale for a common connector solution, by significantly reducing the relevance of wired charging solutions in general. In the light of these conclusions, in October 2020 the Commission launched two complementary studies, on unbundling mobile phones and similar portable electronic devices and wireless charging technologies in order to strengthen the evidence base for the proposal. In January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution 2 calling for the urgent adoption of a standard for a common charger for mobile phones in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation. Specifically, the resolution called on the Commission to adopt a legislative measure, if necessary, to establish a common charger. It also urged the Commission to ensure that consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new item of radio equipment and that unbundling measures (consisting in the supply to the end-user of radio equipment without a charging device) should be introduced with a common charging solution, as otherwise the aim of reducing the volume of charging devices produced per year and hence reducing electronic waste (e-waste) would not be achieved. The Commission adjusted 2020 work programme 3 , specifically states that there will be a new proposal on common chargers for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a common charger and as preconditions for impactful and meaningful unbundling, the three supporting studies, which were conducted found that radio equipment shall integrate: a harmonised charging interface at the radio equipment end (the charging receptacle in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging), a minimum common interoperability of charging through a harmonised charging communication protocol, and detailed information about charging requirements of the radio equipment. The design of radio equipment falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU 4 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment . On the other hand, the characteristics of the external power supply are falling within the scope of the Directive 2009/125/EC of establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. 5 This proposal is aimed at preventing fragmentation of the market when it comes to charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing e-waste. In particular, it will: - harmonise the charging interface for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment (tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers) that are recharged via a wired charging, so that they can be recharged by using a common charging receptacle; - guarantee that such devices, where they support fast charging, incorporate at least the same charging communication protocol; - allow for future harmonisation in this area in response to technological developments, including harmonisation of any type of charging interface other than wired charging; - introduce requirements so that end-users are not obliged to purchase a new charging device whenever they purchase a new mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment and; - introduce requirements so that, when purchasing a mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment, end-users receive the necessary information on its charging performance characteristics and the charging device that can be used with it. An Impact Assessment was carried out to examine policy options for: (a) harmonisation of the radio equipment charging interface; (b) support for the relevant charging communication protocol on the radio equipment and informing consumers about the charging performance; and (c) making available on the market of at least unbundled solution. Policy Option (A) Harmonisation of the end-device connector (B) Support of the relevant charging protocol on the end-device and informing consumers about charging performance (C) Making available on the market at least unbundled 6 solutions Option 0 No action No action No action Option 1 Mandatory No action No action Option 2 No action Mandatory No action Option 3 No action Mandatory Mandatory Option 4 Mandatory Mandatory No action Option 5 Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory For all options, there are sub-options of a narrow scope (i.e. covering mobile phones only) or a broader scope (also including certain devices with charging characteristics that are comparable to those of a mobile phone). The preferred policy option is option 5 with a broad scope as it involves the fairest trade-off between all the objectives and allow a win-win situation for the majority of stakeholders and the environment. 
Revised version (Article 36 Information obligation on notified bodies):
2. Notified bodies shall, in accordance with the requirements of Annexes III and IV, provide the other bodies notified under this Directive carrying out similar conformity assessment activities covering the same categories of radio equipment with relevant information on issues relating to negative and, on request, positive conformity assessment results. 3. Notified bodies shall fulfil information obligations under Annexes III and IV.
Article 37 Exchange of experience
The Commission shall provide for the organisation of exchange of experience between the Member States' national authorities responsible for notification policy.
Article 38 Coordination of notified bodies
The Commission shall ensure that appropriate coordination and cooperation between bodies notified under this Directive are put in place and properly operated in the form of a sectoral group of notified bodies. Member States shall ensure that the bodies notified by them participate in the work of that group, directly or by means of designated representatives.
Article 39 Union market surveillance and control of radio equipment entering the Union market
Article 15(3) and Articles 16 to 29 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 shall apply to radio equipment.
Article 40 Procedure for dealing with radio equipment presenting a risk at national level
1. Where the market surveillance authorities of one Member State have sufficient reason to believe that radio equipment covered by this Directive presents a risk to the health or safety of persons or to other aspects of public interest protection covered by this Directive, they shall carry out an evaluation in relation to the radio equipment concerned covering all relevant requirements laid down in this Directive. The relevant economic operators shall cooperate as necessary with the market surveillance authorities for that purpose. Where, in the course of the evaluation referred to in the first subparagraph, the market surveillance authorities find that the radio equipment does not comply with the requirements laid down in this Directive, they shall without delay require the relevant economic operator to take all appropriate corrective actions to bring the radio equipment into compliance with those requirements, to withdraw the radio equipment from the market, or to recall it within a reasonable period, commensurate with the nature of the risk, as they may prescribe. The market surveillance authorities shall inform the relevant notified body accordingly. Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 shall apply to the measures referred to in the second subparagraph of this paragraph. 2. Where the market surveillance authorities consider that non-compliance is not restricted to their national territory, they shall inform the Commission and the other Member States of the results of the evaluation and of the actions which they have required the economic operator to take. 3. The economic operator shall ensure that all appropriate corrective action is taken in respect of all radio equipment concerned that it has made available on the market throughout the Union. 4. Where the relevant economic operator does not take adequate corrective action within the period referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1, the market surveillance authorities shall take all appropriate provisional measures to prohibit or restrict the radio equipment being made available on their national market, to withdraw the radio equipment from that market or to recall it. The market surveillance authorities shall inform the Commission and the other Member States, without delay, of those measures. 5. The information referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 4 shall include all available details, in particular the data necessary for the identification of the non-compliant radio equipment, the origin of the radio equipment, the nature of the non-compliance alleged and the risk involved, the nature and duration of the national measures taken and the arguments put forward by the relevant economic operator. In particular, the market surveillance authorities shall indicate whether the non-compliance is due to either of the following: (a) failure of the radio equipment to meet the relevant essential requirements set out in Article 3; or (b) shortcomings in the harmonised standards referred to in Article 16 conferring a presumption of conformity. 6. Member States other than the Member State initiating the procedure under this Article shall without delay inform the Commission and the other Member States of any measures adopted and of any additional information at their disposal relating to the non-compliance of the radio equipment concerned, and, in the event of disagreement with the adopted national measure, of their objections. 7. Where, within three months of receipt of the information referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 4, no objection has been raised by either a Member State or the Commission in respect of a provisional measure taken by a Member State, that measure shall be deemed justified. 8. Member States shall ensure that appropriate restrictive measures, such as withdrawal of the radio equipment from the market, are taken in respect of the radio equipment concerned without delay.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Since 2009, the Commission has been seeking to limit the fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces for mobile phones and similar devices. However, such initiatives only led to voluntary schemes that are not legally binding and thus do not ensure consistent and uniform application. In June 2009, following a request from the Commission, major producers of mobile telephones agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on harmonising chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU 1 . The signatories agreed to develop a common specification based on the USB 2.0 micro-B interface, which would allow full charging compatibility with the mobile phones to be placed on the market. The MoU reduced market fragmentation and attracted almost global alignment. Its implementation led to an effective reduction in the number of charging solutions for mobile phones from 30 to only three. However, the MoU also allowed for the use of proprietary charging interfaces, and one such solution continued to be used (and still is) by a major mobile phone manufacturer, thus preventing full interoperability. In addition, the MoU never addressed the environmental issues arising from the continued existence of those different charging interfaces and charging communication protocols. Without EU action, this fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols is expected to persist and environmental impacts will remain unaddressed. Ever since the MoU expired in 2014 (after two letters of renewal), the European Commission has been trying to foster the adoption of a new voluntary agreement. In March 2018, following several rounds of discussion among the relevant manufacturers and exchanges of views with the Commission, the industry proposed a new MoU on a future common charging solution for smartphones. However, the Commission did not consider the new MoU to be satisfactory as it is not in line with the EU’s harmonisation objectives, which seek to limit fragmentation of charging solutions (both the charging interfaces and the charging communication protocols) for mobile phones and similar items of radio equipment. The proposed new MoU continued to allow for proprietary solutions (vendor-specific connection means), which the Commission no longer considers justified in view of the technical advantages provided by the introduction of the USB Type-C interface. In this context, the Commission launched in 2018 an impact assessment study for a possible proposal aimed at implementing a common solution for charging mobile phones (and possibly other similar categories or classes of radio equipment). While the original objective of this initiative was to improve consumer convenience, the study concluded, that imposing a common charging interface and a common charging communication protocol on the side of the radio equipment (smartphones, but possibly also tablets, cameras, readers, etc.), while encouraging or imposing unbundling (i.e. the supply to the end-user of the radio equipment without the charging device), would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste (e-waste). It concluded that only harmonising the charging interface (in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging this interface being the charging receptacle) would not achieve full interoperability of charge. In fact, currently, various charging communication protocols exist and not all ensure the same charging performance if a charging device from another brand is used. Additionally, the study concluded that having a common charging device across different types of radio equipment would be likely to increase consumer convenience overall. Regarding wireless charging (i.e. more generally charging technology other than wired charging), the study concluded that if any breakthroughs in wireless charging technology were to happen, this could undermine the rationale for a common connector solution, by significantly reducing the relevance of wired charging solutions in general. In the light of these conclusions, in October 2020 the Commission launched two complementary studies, on unbundling mobile phones and similar portable electronic devices and wireless charging technologies in order to strengthen the evidence base for the proposal. In January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution 2 calling for the urgent adoption of a standard for a common charger for mobile phones in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation. Specifically, the resolution called on the Commission to adopt a legislative measure, if necessary, to establish a common charger. It also urged the Commission to ensure that consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new item of radio equipment and that unbundling measures (consisting in the supply to the end-user of radio equipment without a charging device) should be introduced with a common charging solution, as otherwise the aim of reducing the volume of charging devices produced per year and hence reducing electronic waste (e-waste) would not be achieved. The Commission adjusted 2020 work programme 3 , specifically states that there will be a new proposal on common chargers for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a common charger and as preconditions for impactful and meaningful unbundling, the three supporting studies, which were conducted found that radio equipment shall integrate: a harmonised charging interface at the radio equipment end (the charging receptacle in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging), a minimum common interoperability of charging through a harmonised charging communication protocol, and detailed information about charging requirements of the radio equipment. The design of radio equipment falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU 4 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment . On the other hand, the characteristics of the external power supply are falling within the scope of the Directive 2009/125/EC of establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. 5 This proposal is aimed at preventing fragmentation of the market when it comes to charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing e-waste. In particular, it will: - harmonise the charging interface for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment (tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers) that are recharged via a wired charging, so that they can be recharged by using a common charging receptacle; - guarantee that such devices, where they support fast charging, incorporate at least the same charging communication protocol; - allow for future harmonisation in this area in response to technological developments, including harmonisation of any type of charging interface other than wired charging; - introduce requirements so that end-users are not obliged to purchase a new charging device whenever they purchase a new mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment and; - introduce requirements so that, when purchasing a mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment, end-users receive the necessary information on its charging performance characteristics and the charging device that can be used with it. An Impact Assessment was carried out to examine policy options for: (a) harmonisation of the radio equipment charging interface; (b) support for the relevant charging communication protocol on the radio equipment and informing consumers about the charging performance; and (c) making available on the market of at least unbundled solution. Policy Option (A) Harmonisation of the end-device connector (B) Support of the relevant charging protocol on the end-device and informing consumers about charging performance (C) Making available on the market at least unbundled 6 solutions Option 0 No action No action No action Option 1 Mandatory No action No action Option 2 No action Mandatory No action Option 3 No action Mandatory Mandatory Option 4 Mandatory Mandatory No action Option 5 Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory For all options, there are sub-options of a narrow scope (i.e. covering mobile phones only) or a broader scope (also including certain devices with charging characteristics that are comparable to those of a mobile phone). The preferred policy option is option 5 with a broad scope as it involves the fairest trade-off between all the objectives and allow a win-win situation for the majority of stakeholders and the environment. 
Revised version (Article 40 Procedure at national level for dealing with radio equipment presenting a risk or not in compliance with essential requirements):
1. Where the market surveillance authorities of a Member State have sufficient reason to believe that radio equipment covered by this Directive presents a risk to the health or safety of persons or to other aspects of public interest protection covered by this Directive, or that it does not comply with at least one of the applicable essential requirements set out in Article 3, they shall carry out an evaluation in relation to the radio equipment concerned covering all relevant requirements laid down in this Directive. The relevant economic operators shall cooperate as necessary with the market surveillance authorities for that purpose. Where, in the course of the evaluation referred to in the first subparagraph, the market surveillance authorities find that the radio equipment does not comply with the requirements laid down in this Directive, they shall without delay require the relevant economic operator to take all appropriate corrective actions to bring the radio equipment into compliance with those requirements, to withdraw the radio equipment from the market, or to recall it within a reasonable period, commensurate with the nature of the risk, as they may prescribe. The market surveillance authorities shall inform the relevant notified body accordingly. Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 shall apply to the measures referred to in the second subparagraph of this paragraph. 2. Where the market surveillance authorities consider that non-compliance is not restricted to their national territory, they shall inform the Commission and the other Member States of the results of the evaluation and of the actions which they have required the economic operator to take. 3. The economic operator shall ensure that all appropriate corrective action is taken in respect of all radio equipment concerned that it has made available on the market throughout the Union. 4. Where the relevant economic operator does not take adequate corrective action within the period referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1, the market surveillance authorities shall take all appropriate provisional measures to prohibit or restrict the radio equipment being made available on their national market, to withdraw the radio equipment from that market or to recall it. The market surveillance authorities shall inform the Commission and the other Member States, without delay, of those measures. 5. The information referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 4 shall include all available details, in particular the data necessary for the identification of the non-compliant radio equipment, the origin of the radio equipment, the nature of the non-compliance alleged and the risk involved, the nature and duration of the national measures taken and the arguments put forward by the relevant economic operator. In particular, the market surveillance authorities shall indicate whether the non-compliance is due to either of the following: (a) failure of the radio equipment to meet the relevant essential requirements set out in Article 3; or (b) shortcomings in the harmonised standards referred to in Article 16 conferring a presumption of conformity. 6. Member States other than the Member State initiating the procedure under this Article shall without delay inform the Commission and the other Member States of any measures adopted and of any additional information at their disposal relating to the non-compliance of the radio equipment concerned, and, in the event of disagreement with the adopted national measure, of their objections. 7. Where, within three months of receipt of the information referred to in the second subparagraph of paragraph 4, no objection has been raised by either a Member State or the Commission in respect of a provisional measure taken by a Member State, that measure shall be deemed justified. 8. Member States shall ensure that appropriate restrictive measures, such as withdrawal of the radio equipment from the market, are taken in respect of the radio equipment concerned without delay.
Article 41 Union safeguard procedure
1. Where, on completion of the procedure set out in Article 40(3) and (4), objections are raised against a measure taken by a Member State, or where the Commission considers a national measure to be contrary to Union legislation, the Commission shall without delay enter into consultation with the Member States and the relevant economic operator or operators and shall evaluate the national measure. On the basis of the results of that evaluation, the Commission shall adopt an implementing act determining whether the national measure is justified or not. The Commission shall address its decision to all Member States and shall immediately communicate it to them and the relevant economic operator or operators. 2. If the national measure is considered justified, all Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the non-compliant radio equipment is withdrawn or recalled from their market, and shall inform the Commission accordingly. If the national measure is considered unjustified, the Member State concerned shall withdraw that measure. 3. Where the national measure is considered justified and the non-compliance of the radio equipment is attributed to shortcomings in the harmonised standards referred to in point (b) of Article 40(5) of this Directive, the Commission shall apply the procedure provided for in Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012.
Article 42 Compliant radio equipment which presents a risk
1. Where, having carried out an evaluation under Article 40(1), a Member State finds that although radio equipment is in compliance with this Directive, it presents a risk to the health or safety of persons or to other aspects of public interest protection covered by this Directive, it shall require the relevant economic operator to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the radio equipment concerned, when placed on the market, no longer presents that risk, to withdraw the radio equipment from the market or to recall it within a reasonable period, commensurate with the nature of the risk, as it may prescribe. 2. The economic operator shall ensure that corrective action is taken in respect of all the radio equipment concerned that he has made available on the market throughout the Union. 3. The Member State shall immediately inform the Commission and the other Member States. That information shall include all available details, in particular the data necessary for the identification of the radio equipment concerned, the origin and the supply chain of radio equipment, the nature of the risk involved and the nature and duration of the national measures taken. 4. The Commission shall without delay enter into consultation with the Member States and the relevant economic operator or operators and shall evaluate the national measures taken. On the basis of the results of that evaluation, the Commission shall decide by means of implementing acts whether the national measure is justified or not and, where necessary, propose appropriate measures. The implementing acts referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 45(3). On duly justified imperative grounds of urgency relating to the protection of health and safety of persons, the Commission shall adopt immediately applicable implementing acts in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 45(4). 5. The Commission shall address its decision to all Member States and shall immediately communicate it to them and the relevant economic operator or operators.
Article 43 Formal non-compliance
1. Without prejudice to Article 40, where a Member State makes one of the following findings, it shall require the relevant economic operator to put an end to the non-compliance concerned: (a) the CE marking has been affixed in violation of Article 30 of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 or of Article 20 of this Directive; (b) the CE marking has not been affixed; (c) the identification number of the notified body, where the conformity assessment procedure set out in Annex IV is applied, has been affixed in violation of Article 20 or has not been affixed; (d) the EU declaration of conformity has not been drawn up; (e) the EU declaration of conformity has not been drawn up correctly; (f) technical documentation is either not available or not complete; (g) the information referred to in Article 10(6) or (7) or Article 12(3) is absent, false or incomplete; (h) information on the intended use of radio equipment, the EU declaration of conformity or usage restrictions as set out in Article 10(8), (9) and (10) does not accompany the radio equipment; (i) requirements on identification of economic operators set out in Article 15 are not fulfilled; (j) Article 5 is not complied with. 2. Where the non-compliance referred to in paragraph 1 persists, the Member State concerned shall take all appropriate measures to restrict or prohibit corresponding radio equipment being made available on the market or ensure that it is withdrawn or recalled from the market.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL Reasons for and objectives of the proposal Since 2009, the Commission has been seeking to limit the fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces for mobile phones and similar devices. However, such initiatives only led to voluntary schemes that are not legally binding and thus do not ensure consistent and uniform application. In June 2009, following a request from the Commission, major producers of mobile telephones agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on harmonising chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU 1 . The signatories agreed to develop a common specification based on the USB 2.0 micro-B interface, which would allow full charging compatibility with the mobile phones to be placed on the market. The MoU reduced market fragmentation and attracted almost global alignment. Its implementation led to an effective reduction in the number of charging solutions for mobile phones from 30 to only three. However, the MoU also allowed for the use of proprietary charging interfaces, and one such solution continued to be used (and still is) by a major mobile phone manufacturer, thus preventing full interoperability. In addition, the MoU never addressed the environmental issues arising from the continued existence of those different charging interfaces and charging communication protocols. Without EU action, this fragmentation of the market for charging interfaces and charging communication protocols is expected to persist and environmental impacts will remain unaddressed. Ever since the MoU expired in 2014 (after two letters of renewal), the European Commission has been trying to foster the adoption of a new voluntary agreement. In March 2018, following several rounds of discussion among the relevant manufacturers and exchanges of views with the Commission, the industry proposed a new MoU on a future common charging solution for smartphones. However, the Commission did not consider the new MoU to be satisfactory as it is not in line with the EU’s harmonisation objectives, which seek to limit fragmentation of charging solutions (both the charging interfaces and the charging communication protocols) for mobile phones and similar items of radio equipment. The proposed new MoU continued to allow for proprietary solutions (vendor-specific connection means), which the Commission no longer considers justified in view of the technical advantages provided by the introduction of the USB Type-C interface. In this context, the Commission launched in 2018 an impact assessment study for a possible proposal aimed at implementing a common solution for charging mobile phones (and possibly other similar categories or classes of radio equipment). While the original objective of this initiative was to improve consumer convenience, the study concluded, that imposing a common charging interface and a common charging communication protocol on the side of the radio equipment (smartphones, but possibly also tablets, cameras, readers, etc.), while encouraging or imposing unbundling (i.e. the supply to the end-user of the radio equipment without the charging device), would benefit consumers and reduce electronic waste (e-waste). It concluded that only harmonising the charging interface (in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging this interface being the charging receptacle) would not achieve full interoperability of charge. In fact, currently, various charging communication protocols exist and not all ensure the same charging performance if a charging device from another brand is used. Additionally, the study concluded that having a common charging device across different types of radio equipment would be likely to increase consumer convenience overall. Regarding wireless charging (i.e. more generally charging technology other than wired charging), the study concluded that if any breakthroughs in wireless charging technology were to happen, this could undermine the rationale for a common connector solution, by significantly reducing the relevance of wired charging solutions in general. In the light of these conclusions, in October 2020 the Commission launched two complementary studies, on unbundling mobile phones and similar portable electronic devices and wireless charging technologies in order to strengthen the evidence base for the proposal. In January 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution 2 calling for the urgent adoption of a standard for a common charger for mobile phones in order to avoid further internal market fragmentation. Specifically, the resolution called on the Commission to adopt a legislative measure, if necessary, to establish a common charger. It also urged the Commission to ensure that consumers are no longer obliged to buy new chargers with each new item of radio equipment and that unbundling measures (consisting in the supply to the end-user of radio equipment without a charging device) should be introduced with a common charging solution, as otherwise the aim of reducing the volume of charging devices produced per year and hence reducing electronic waste (e-waste) would not be achieved. The Commission adjusted 2020 work programme 3 , specifically states that there will be a new proposal on common chargers for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of a common charger and as preconditions for impactful and meaningful unbundling, the three supporting studies, which were conducted found that radio equipment shall integrate: a harmonised charging interface at the radio equipment end (the charging receptacle in the case of radio equipment charged via wired charging), a minimum common interoperability of charging through a harmonised charging communication protocol, and detailed information about charging requirements of the radio equipment. The design of radio equipment falls within the scope of Directive 2014/53/EU 4 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment . On the other hand, the characteristics of the external power supply are falling within the scope of the Directive 2009/125/EC of establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products. 5 This proposal is aimed at preventing fragmentation of the market when it comes to charging interfaces and charging communication protocols, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing e-waste. In particular, it will: - harmonise the charging interface for mobile phones and similar categories or classes of radio equipment (tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers) that are recharged via a wired charging, so that they can be recharged by using a common charging receptacle; - guarantee that such devices, where they support fast charging, incorporate at least the same charging communication protocol; - allow for future harmonisation in this area in response to technological developments, including harmonisation of any type of charging interface other than wired charging; - introduce requirements so that end-users are not obliged to purchase a new charging device whenever they purchase a new mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment and; - introduce requirements so that, when purchasing a mobile phone or similar item of radio equipment, end-users receive the necessary information on its charging performance characteristics and the charging device that can be used with it. An Impact Assessment was carried out to examine policy options for: (a) harmonisation of the radio equipment charging interface; (b) support for the relevant charging communication protocol on the radio equipment and informing consumers about the charging performance; and (c) making available on the market of at least unbundled solution. Policy Option (A) Harmonisation of the end-device connector (B) Support of the relevant charging protocol on the end-device and informing consumers about charging performance (C) Making available on the market at least unbundled 6 solutions Option 0 No action No action No action Option 1 Mandatory No action No action Option 2 No action Mandatory No action Option 3 No action Mandatory Mandatory Option 4 Mandatory Mandatory No action Option 5 Mandatory Mandatory Mandatory For all options, there are sub-options of a narrow scope (i.e. covering mobile phones only) or a broader scope (also including certain devices with charging characteristics that are comparable to those of a mobile phone). The preferred policy option is option 5 with a broad scope as it involves the fairest trade-off between all the objectives and allow a win-win situation for the majority of stakeholders and the environment. 
Revised version (Article 43 Formal non-compliance):
2. Where the non-compliance referred to in paragraph 1 persists, the Member State concerned shall take all appropriate measures to restrict or prohibit corresponding radio equipment being made available on the market or ensure that it is withdrawn or recalled from the market.