India is considering the possibility of making USB Type-C as uniform charging port for electronic devices.

Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh on Wednesday (16 November) said that the industry should overcome inertia in adopting a uniform charging port in the interest of consumer welfare and prevention of avoidable e-waste. 

Singh said this while chairing a meeting of the Central Inter-Ministerial Task Force constituted to examine the issue of uniformity in charging ports of electronic devices.

The meeting was attended by representatives from industry associations such as MAIT, FICCI, CII, educational institutions including IIT Kanpur, IIT (BHU), Varanasi and Central Government ministries including Ministry of Environment Forrest and Climate Change.

During the meeting, a broad consensus emerged among stakeholders on adoption of USB Type – C as a charging port for electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops etc., according to a Consumer Affairs Ministry release.

Further, it was deliberated that a different charging port may be adopted for feature phones.

The Department of Conusmer Affairs has also decided to form a sub-group to examine the feasibility of uniform charging port for wearables.

The sub-group will include representatives from industry bodies, educational institutions etc.

Acording to the statement, it was also felt that an impact study may be conducted by the MoEFCC to assess and examine the possible impact of uniform charging port in electronic devices with regard to e-waste.

Stakeholders agreed that a phased roll-out of the common charging port may be conducted so that the same can be applied by the industry and adopted by consumers harmoniously, it added.

The government's move comes as earlier this year, the European Union had passed a law mandating USB Type-C as the uniform charging port in the 27-member bloc from 2024.