The European law on a single standard for charging devices via USB-C has been finally approved

The law, which is primarily associated with the iPhone, on a single standard for chargers for smartphones and other gadgets, is expected to be finally approved by EU ministers. So from the end of 2024, all new gadgets sold in the European Union must be equipped with a USB-C port for charging.

We remind you that this law is primarily aimed at reducing electronic waste. It is emphasized that when changing, for example, a smartphone, users often got rid of old cables and chargers. A single standard for such cables should simplify the charging process and reduce waste, as there will be no need to search for a suitable cable to charge a particular gadget.

“We all have at least three mobile phone chargers at home. Looking for the right charger, either at home or at work, can be quite annoying. On top of this, these chargers amount to 11,000 tons of e-waste every year. Having a charger that fits multiple devices will save money and time and also helps us reduce electronic waste,” comments Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela.

Additionally, the law mandates USB-C on many other gadgets: tablets and e-books, portable game consoles, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, portable speakers, wireless keyboards and mice, and portable navigation systems.

And from 2026, this list should also be supplemented with laptops.

In the context of this law, Apple is mentioned first of all, because it is the only major electronics manufacturer that has not abandoned its own Lightning port in the iPhone, one of the most popular flagship smartphones. It is already difficult to find such a device without USB-C from other manufacturers.

As previously reported, the company is already planning faster transition to USB-C from next year, ahead of the legislative directive deadline. As for MacBooks, which also have MagSafe, this should not be a problem, because the legislation does not require gadgets to be charged exclusively via USB-C, but allows alternative ports or methods for charging.

Later, the European Commission plans to “harmonize” induction charging as well:

Although becoming more popular, wireless charging has not yet been harmonized across devices. To enable this technology to become available for more devices, the Commission will work on harmonizing wireless charging for electronic devices and on interoperability based on technological developments.