The European Union (EU) has passed a law today that mandates gadget makers to switch their devices' charging ports to USB-C type by the end of 2024. A wide range of electric devices will be affected, including Apple's iPhone and AirPods that use lightning connectors.
The directive's goal is to make all the gadgets available in the Europe marketplace have a standard charging point.
The passing of the said law resulted from a total of 602 votes from the Members of the European Parliament (MEP), winning against the 13 member states that disagreed and eight abstentions.
All Devices Are Affected, Regardless of the Manufacturer
More information about the rule was mentioned in the press release statement issued earlier this day.
It stated that all mobile phones, tablets, and cameras sold within Europe will be required to have a charging point compatible with USB Type-C by the last few months of 2024.
More electronic accessories are included, such as headphones, keyboards, portable navigation devices, and other rechargeable gadgets that utilize a wired cable if operating a power delivery of up to 100 watts.
Then, by spring 2026, the requirement will also apply to laptops.
An Effort to Reduce E-waste and Promote Product Sustainability
MEPs claim that this act is an attempt by the union to cut electronic waste and to give consumers more options in terms of making more environmentally responsible decisions.
The law will eliminate the common conception, so-called the "lock-in" effect brought on by technological advancements. The lock-in effect is when a consumer only relies on a single manufacturer.
In addition, this is to make use of various devices more accessible and convenient to most users.
"Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices," as stated in the press release.
Better Information for the Customers
The newly-passed law will benefit users by getting better information from the tech manufacturers.
Tech companies must disclose the charging characteristics of the new devices, making it simpler for consumers to determine whether or not their existing cables are compatible.
Over time, customers will be able to save up to €250 million every year by not purchasing unnecessary chargers, leading to an increase in the number of times these chargers will be reused.
"Disposed of and unused chargers account for about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually in the EU," the article revealed.
The Long-Awaited Proposal
The discussion involving standard chargers has been in debate for the past decade. The union had voiced its support for establishing such a ruling, which unifies the charging standard for devices.
Unfortunately, previous initiatives and voluntary approaches failed to yield concrete results for EU consumers.
Finally, the Commission revealed that it was working on the proposed legislative amendment in September 2021.
Related Article: Apple Forced to Comply With EU's New USB-C Charging Cable Rule to Continue to Sell Wired Smartphones in Europe
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Trisha Kae Andrada
