The UK will not follow the lead of Europe in implementing one standard charging cable for portable electronic device, despite the obvious advantages.

The EU will pass into law that the USB Type-C will become the common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the third quarter of 2024.

Among 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.

A UK government spokesperson said “we are not currently considering replicating this requirement”.