The EU is one step ahead of the USB-C Universal Charger

With a single charger for all your electronic devices you will soon be on vacation. However, this is the preference of the European Parliament, which has now set out the terms of the order imposing the USB-C as the Universal Charging Standard.

The dream of a universal charger is one step closer. April 20, 2022MEPs verified New rules for making USB-C the new standard for all mobile devices. More precisely, the Committee on Internal Marketing and Consumer Protection approved. “Radio equipment order correction“43 votes in favor and 2 votes against. After the next parliamentary session in May, Brussels and member states will be able to begin discussions on the final version of the text, which will be the final step before the law is applied.

“Knowing that 500 million chargers for mobile devices are shipped in Europe each year and that they generate 11,000 to 13,000 tons of electronic waste, one charger for mobile phones and other small or medium-sized electronic devices will benefit everyone.”, Said Alex Azeez Saliba, the elected official in charge of the project. The idea is to make the life of the consumer easier by providing a single charger for all electronic gadgets, as well as reducing the amount of electronic waste generated by the proliferation of chargers. With this new order, it is mandatory for manufacturers to specify whether their device has a charger and provide information about its charging characteristics (recommended volts and amps). The opportunity to purchase the device without a charger should also be provided.

What about the iPhone?

The boundary of the contract has also been extended. Everything now “Mobile Phones, Tablets, Digital Cameras, Earphones and Headphones, Portable Video Game Consoles and Portable Speakers” It must be equipped with a USB-C port “Whatever their brand”. Only “Devices for these types of ports are very small“(Connected clock, function sensors) will be omitted. “We propose a genuine global policy based on the Commission’s proposal […] We’re expanding its scope to include additional devices, including laptops, which need to be aligned with the new rules. “Alex Azeas Saliba pointed out.

Often, in the pit of these reports we guess small spots against Apple, which is one of the rare smartphone manufacturers that does not already accept USB-C, preferring a proprietary lightning port. But after 10 years, Apple’s connection to wireless charging will disappear from iPhones. Brussels is also in place “Question about the functionality of wireless charging technologies” To be discussed by 2026.