The unified USB-C charging standard for smartphones and other devices in the European Union is coming. The Council of EU states gave its final approval on Monday to the new regulation, which will apply from autumn 2024.
“A charger suitable for multiple devices saves money and time and also helps us to avoid electronic waste,” said Czech Industry Minister Jozef Sikela (55) on behalf of the current EU Council presidency. “We all have at least three chargers for mobile phones in the house. Finding the right charger, whether at home or at work, can be quite tedious.”
In addition to smartphones, tablets, e-readers, digital cameras, headphones, portable speakers and keyboards also fall under the new rules. For laptops, the requirements that negotiators from the EU countries and the European Parliament agreed in June will apply from spring 2026.
Savings potential of 250 million euros
In the future, it should be clear when purchasing whether a device is sold with or without a charger. In addition, special labels should make it clear whether existing chargers are compatible with the device. According to the EU parliament, the new directives should lead to consumers in the EU saving €250 million per year by avoiding unnecessary purchases of chargers. The European Commission will also work on a uniform standard for wireless charging in the future. Critics complain that the new law slows down innovation, for example when it comes to charging times or data transmission. It goes against the openness to technology.
The uniform charging standard in Europe has been under discussion for a long time. Initially, the EU commission relied on voluntary industry cooperation – albeit with little success. In 2009, 14 mobile phone manufacturers – including Apple – agreed under pressure from the Brussels authorities to a self-commitment to a uniform standard for power supply.
However, when it comes to the power outlets in smartphones and tablet computers, there are still three of what used to be a few dozen types: the now obsolete micro-USB, the newer USB-C and Apple’s thinner Lightning connectors. In September 2021, the European Commission then presented a bill for USB-C as the standard for the sockets in the devices. (SDA)
Source: Blick
I’m Tim David and I work as an author for 24 Instant News, covering the Market section. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, my mission is to provide accurate, timely and insightful news coverage that helps our readers stay informed about the latest trends in the market. My writing style is focused on making complex economic topics easy to understand for everyone.
