Government Abandons Quest to Make Phone Chargers Less Wasteful
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Department of Energy has decided to cancel a plan to update energy-saving rules for battery chargers that was proposed in 2023. This means manufacturers won’t have to meet new power limits for chargers right now, and no new costs or changes will happen yet. The decision came after lots of feedback from companies and groups worried about the impact.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Proposed Charger Standards Withdrawn
The Department of Energy withdrew the March 15, 2023 proposed rule on energy conservation standards for battery chargers on January 17, 2025. That withdrawal means manufacturers do not have to meet the proposed maximum active charge energy, standby, or off-mode power limits now, so no new compliance costs or design changes will occur at this time.
Future Rulemaking Remains Possible
DOE said it may propose energy conservation standards for battery chargers in the future and any new rulemaking would follow notice-and-comment procedures. The Department withdrew the current proposal on January 17, 2025 but did not preclude reissuing similar standards later.
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