After a decade of Parliament calling for a common charger solution, the USB Type-C will soon become the common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras.
This will come to affect in the third quarter of 2024, and will become law in the EU. Although other countries don’t have to follow the guidelines, it seems likely that manufacturers will simply adopt this standard around the world.
After making the announcement, the European Parliament said the law is “part of a broader EU effort to make products in the EU more sustainable, to reduce electronic waste, and make consumers’ lives easier.”
Mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers that are rechargeable via a wired cable will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port, regardless of their manufacturer.
Charging speeds will also be “harmonised” for devices that support fast charging.
The EU estimates that disposed of and unused chargers represent about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually.
“Today we have made the common charger a reality in Europe,” said Parliament’s rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba.
“European consumers were frustrated long with multiple chargers piling up with every new device. Now they will be able to use a single charger for all their portable electronics.
“We are proud that laptops, e-readers, earbuds, keyboards, computer mice, and portable navigation devices are also included in addition to smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers.
“We have also added provisions on wireless charging being the next evolution in the charging technology and improved information and labelling for consumers.”
