By the end of 2024, the era of multiple chargers for small electronic gadgets will conclude. The European Union is enforcing the use of USB-C connectors and adhering to the USB Power Delivery standard.
Starting from December 28, 2024, all mobile phones, tablets, and cameras marketed within the EU must feature a USB-C charging port. This requirement will extend to laptops beginning in the spring of 2026. The EU aims to diminish electronic waste and enhance the sustainability of electrical appliances.
The European Parliament had already approved this measure in October 2023 as a revision to the Radio Equipment Directive, subsequently forwarding it to the member states for integration into their national laws.
In the future, all manufacturers must equip their new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, portable video game consoles and speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earphones and laptops with a power consumption of up to 100 watts that can be charged with a cable with a USB-C connection.
This means that consumers will no longer need to acquire a new charger every time they buy a new mobile device. A single charger will be sufficient to meet the charging needs for a large number of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices.
The Directive also establishes a baseline charging protocol for all USB-C devices.
The new regulations do not affect products already on the market prior to the implementation date. However, industry leader Apple has already initiated the transition: the iPhone 15 series and the second generation of AirPods Pro are already equipped with USB-C.
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