The EU parliament and Council agreed on Tuesday to adopt the USB Type-C as the common charger for the block by autumn 2024, concluding the long deliberation geared toward reducing electronic waste in Europe.
The new rules, which establishes a single charging solution for certain electronics devices, means that consumers will no longer need a different charging device and cable every time they purchase a new device, and can use one single charger for all of their small and medium-sized portable electronic devices, according to a press release by the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection on Tuesday.
Mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video game 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. Laptops will also have to be adapted to the requirements by 40 months after the entry into force.
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“Today we have made the common charger a reality in Europe! European consumers were frustrated long with multiple chargers piling up with every new device. Now they will be able to use a single charger for all their portable electronics,” Parliament’s rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba said.
The charging speed is also harmonized for devices that support fast charging, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.
Since 2018, the European Commission has been trying to reach a consensus with other relevant European authorities on the use of the same charging port in Europe. But device producers such as Apple were worried that the rules would create electronic waste as companies and consumers transit to the USB Type-C, and it will also stifle innovation.
However, the European authorities, besides curbing electronic waste, believe the new rules will make products in the EU more sustainable and make consumers’ lives easier. These new obligations will lead to more re-use of chargers and will help consumers save up to 250 million euro a year on unnecessary charger purchases, the Commission said.
Apple and others now have less than two years to adapt, changing their charging ports to the recommended USB Type-C. Disposed of and unused chargers are estimated to represent about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually.
Alex Agius Saliba said laptops, e-readers, earbuds, keyboards, computer mice, and portable navigation devices are also included in addition to smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers.
The legislation still needs to be formally approved by the European Parliament and European Council later this year. It will come into force 20 days after publication in the EU Official Journal and its provisions will start to apply to new devices after 24 months.