Electronic device chargers set to all be the same – no more tangled cables and less waste, EU says
- The plan is part of a wider effort to make products sold in the 27-nation bloc more sustainable and cut down on electronic waste
- Rules also include the right to choose whether or not a charger will be included with new purchases, which the EU says will save people an estimated US$266 million a year
European Union officials agreed on new rules requiring a uniform charging cord for smartphones and other devices, a move that would make life easier for consumers fed up with rummaging through a tangle of cables for the right one.
EU negotiators on Tuesday said they signed a provisional agreement on a “single charging solution”, part of a wider effort to make products sold in the 27-nation bloc more sustainable and cut down on electronic waste.
The new rules, which will take effect by fall 2024, mean EU consumers will only need to use a common USB Type-C cable for small and medium-sized rechargeable, portable electronic devices.
The devices covered include mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, ear buds, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video game consoles and portable speakers. Laptops also are covered, but manufacturers will have extra time to comply.
While many electronics makers have started adopting USB-C sockets into their devices, Apple has been one of the main holdouts.
Apple, which did not respond to a request for comment, has previously said it’s concerned the rules would limit innovation and hurt consumers. The company’s iPhones come with its own Lightning charging port, though newer models include cables that can be plugged into a USB-C socket.