- The EU’s universal charger rules are now in effect, requiring all new electronics sold in the bloc to have a USB Type-C charging port.
- This move aims to reduce electronic waste and simplify charging for consumers.
- Apple, initially reluctant, has begun shipping phones with the new port after a tussle with the EU.
- The new law is a significant step towards a more sustainable and consumer-friendly electronics market.
In a significant move that promises to simplify the lives of millions of consumers and reduce electronic waste, the European Union’s universal charger rules have come into force. The new regulations mandate that all new smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards, and other electronics sold in the 27-nation bloc must be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. This development is expected to cut costs and waste, as stated by the Brussels authorities.
The USB-C port, chosen by the European Union as the common standard for charging electronic tools, is now a requirement for manufacturers selling devices in the EU. This move is expected to streamline the charging process for a wide range of electronic devices, reducing the need for multiple chargers and cables. The EU Parliament announced this significant change on social media, marking a new era in the electronics market.
The single charger rule is expected to simplify the lives of Europeans and slash costs for consumers. By allowing consumers to purchase a new device without a new charger, the EU aims to reduce the mountain of obsolete chargers. This is a significant step towards reducing electronic waste and promoting sustainability.
Apple’s Reluctance and the Tussle with the EU
The law was first approved in 2022 following a tussle with U.S. tech giant Apple. The company was given until December 28 to adapt to the new regulations. Apple had initially expressed reluctance, stating in 2021 that such regulation stifles innovation. However, by September of the same year, it had begun shipping phones with the new port.
The world’s biggest seller of smartphones, Apple, had previously refused to abide by the single charging norm agreed upon by other electronic consumer items manufacturers in Europe a decade ago. This voluntary agreement with the European Commission aimed to standardize charging from the dozens of types available in the market. However, Apple’s refusal to ditch its Lightning ports and other manufacturers’ persistence with alternative cables resulted in about half a dozen types of cables in circulation, creating a jumble for consumers.
USB-C ports offer several advantages over their predecessors. They can charge at up to 100 Watts, transfer data up to 40 gigabits per second, and can serve to hook up to external displays. The European Commission, at the time of the law’s approval, estimated that it would save at least 200 million euros ($208 million) per year and cut more than a thousand tonnes of EU electronic waste annually.
The Impact of the New Law
The European Commission hailed the new law, stating, It’s time for THE charger, and emphasizing the benefits of better charging technology, reduced e-waste, and less fuss for consumers to find the chargers they need.
The move has been lauded by many, including the Digital Poland Association’s president, Michał Kanownik, who told Polish Radio that the new regulations will provide greater convenience for consumers. He pointed out that consumers will no longer be forced to carry multiple cables, as there will now be a single, universal one.
This development is reminiscent of the EU’s previous efforts to standardize mobile phone chargers in 2011. Back then, major phone manufacturers, including Apple, Nokia, and Samsung, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to harmonize chargers for new models of smartphones coming into the market in 2011. However, the MoU was voluntary and non-binding, leading to limited success.