The European Parliament approved a new law on Tuesday requiring USB-C charging ports on everyday electronic devices sold in the European Union (EU)
List of all approved electronic devices according to the European Union
- Mobile phones
- Tablets
- E-readers
- Mice and keyboards
- GPS (global positioning system) devices
- Headphones, Headsets, and Earphones
- Digital cameras
- Videogame consoles
- Portable speakers
- Video game consoles
- Speakers
The bill was approved by a vote of 602 to 13, and it will be extended to mobile phones, tablets, and cameras by the end of 2024 and Laptops by 2026 is mandatory to use USB-C chargers or single charging technology
The measure still needs to be approved by the European Union Council before it can be implemented, but negotiators reached an agreement in July, so the vote is largely seen as a formality.
“The common charger will finally become a reality in Europe,” According to Alex Agius Saliba, a Maltese member of the European Parliament.
“We have waited more than ten years for these rules, but we can finally leave the current plethora of chargers in the past,”
He further stated, “This future-proof law allows for the development of innovative charging solutions in the future, and it will benefit everyone — from frustrated consumers to our vulnerable environment.”
The requirement would apply to electronic devices delivering up to 100 watts of power, such as headphones, video game consoles, speakers, e-readers, and keyboards.
Lawmakers emphasized the bill’s environmental benefits, noting that chargers generate approximately 11,000 tons of waste in the EU each year.
Apple has previously opposed the proposal
It was initially announced in September 2021, an Apple spokesperson told BBC News, “Strict regulation mandating only one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which will harm consumers in Europe and around the world.”
Apple has already used USB Type C technology in some of its chargers. The move would force Google and other companies to use only USB-C in the EU, but it could also affect other markets.
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