New European Union regulations requiring all new smartphones, tablets, and cameras to use a universal charger have officially come into effect. The change, which took place on Saturday, mandates that all devices sold in the 27-nation bloc must be equipped with a USB-C port—the EU’s chosen standard for charging electronics.
From today, consumers purchasing new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards, and many other electronics within the EU will need only one type of charger: USB Type-C, as announced by the EU Parliament on social media.
The EU has argued that the new rule will reduce costs for consumers, as they will no longer need to buy separate chargers with each new device. It will also cut down on electronic waste by eliminating the need for obsolete chargers.
First approved in 2022, the law was implemented following a lengthy debate with U.S. tech giant Apple, which had opposed the move. Companies were given until December 28, 2023, to comply with the regulations. Laptop makers will have until early 2026 to follow suit.
While many manufacturers had already switched to USB-C, Apple initially resisted, claiming that the regulation would stifle innovation. However, the company began shipping phones with USB-C ports in September 2022.
A voluntary agreement on a common charging standard was reached by most electronic manufacturers more than a decade ago, but Apple, the world’s largest smartphone maker, refused to adopt the universal charging port, leading to a market filled with multiple types of cables.
USB-C is capable of charging at up to 100 watts, transferring data at speeds of up to 40 gigabits per second, and supporting external displays. The European Commission has projected the new law will save consumers €200 million annually and reduce more than 1,000 tons of e-waste each year.
In celebration of the rule’s implementation, the European Commission tweeted, "It's time for THE charger. Better charging technology, reduced e-waste, and no more searching for the right charger."
Source: Daily Sabah
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
