In order to harmonise the rules imposed on different products and in particular on telecommunications and electrical equipment, the Federal Council has approved the total revision of two ordinances - the Ordinance on Telecommunications Installations (OTI; CC 784.101.2) and the Ordinance on Electromagnetic Compatibility (OEMC; CC 734.5). Since the European legislation has also been amended accordingly, the mutual recognition agreement between Switzerland and the EU (CC 0.946.526.81) will continue to facilitate access of telecommunications and electrical equipment to both markets.

A universal charger for mobile devices

The standardisation efforts specified in the new legal basis concern, among other things, mobile telephones and other devices which will have to be compatible with a universal charger by mid-2017 at the latest. This measure will reduce the quantity of chargers and therefore the amount of electronic waste.

In addition, the rules applicable to telecommunications and electrical equipment are being harmonised and responsibilities are being allocated more clearly. It will therefore be easier for producers, importers and sellers to guarantee that products placed on the market are in conformity with the rules. Surveillance will also be simplified, as the directions concerning traceability of products have been clarified. Consumers have not been overlooked: the addresses where the manufacturer and the importer can be contacted will have to accompany the product. For radiocommunications equipment, the powers and the frequencies used will also have to be indicated, in addition to any restrictions on use.

Lastly, by delegating to the Federal Office of Communications the competency to specify the rules applicable to innovative equipment, the Federal Council is ensuring that these provisions can be adapted quickly to technological development, thereby favourably influencing some markets. Radiocommunications equipment whose functions and parameters can be modified by a simple change of software is one example.

The OTI will enter into force on 13 June 2016. It provides for a one one-year transitional period to enable the market to adapt to the new rules. As for the amendment to the OEMC, this will enter into force on 20 April 2016. These two dates correspond to those fixed for the amendments to the corresponding legislation of the EU Member States.

Towards a single charger for mobile telephones