No more hoarding dozens of chargers to power multiple devices. By autumn 2024, all smartphones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB-C charging port. And two years later, in 2026, this obligation will also be extended to laptops.
After a long and tortuous journey of more than ten years, the European Parliament has today given the green light to the new regulation that establishes the obligation of a single charger in all EU countries.
The new legislation is part of a broader Brussels strategy to curb electronic waste and encourage consumers to make more sustainable purchasing decisions.
— European Parliament in Spain (@Europarl_ES) October 4, 2022
“The single charger will finally be a reality in Europe. We have waited more than ten years for this law , but the plethora of current chargers will soon be a thing of the past. The legislation allows the development of innovative charging solutions and will benefit everyone, from consumers, fed up with changing chargers, to the environment,” stresses MEP Alex egypt number data Agius Saliba in a statement.
Under the new rule, a separate charger will no longer be required for each new device, as all gadgets will feature the same USB-C charging port.
Apple is the company most affected by the new rule
The law, which aims to reduce electronic waste , will affect all manufacturers of mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, e-books, keyboards and mice, video game consoles, speakers, navigation systems and laptops.
Between 11,000 and 13,000 tonnes of electronic waste are generated in the EU every year and thanks to the single charger, Europeans will be able to save around €250 million on unnecessary charging solutions.
The new legislation particularly affects Apple , which has always distinguished itself from other mobile phone dealers by its own charging system. The iPhone, the flagship product of the Apple company, uses the Lightning cable, which is manufactured by the Cupertino company itself, to charge itself. And the standard USB-C cable is only and exclusively present in a handful of iPads and laptops from the Cupertino company.
A few months ago, Apple had already complained about the more than likely implementation of a single charger in the EU , something that could, in its opinion, put obstacles in the way of technological innovation. In addition, the two-year period that