The European Union has finalized the exact date for all devices using the USB-C charging port. Starting December 28, 2024, all smartphones in the market will be required to use a universal charger under the Common Charger Law.
Common Charger Law to Take Effect Two Years From Now
The European Union gave the final deadline for all devices' mandatory usage of USB-C ports for all devices.
According to a report by The Verge, the new mandate regarding using USB-C charging ports is now official through the Official Journal.
The new law about using the universal charger will mean that every EU member will be given 24 months (maximum) for the national law application.
Previously, some politicians predicted that the deadline for the law's effectiveness would occur by 2023. However, although we already know the official deadline, there are still many processes that the EU legislation will need to pass.
Initially, there was an agreement in June that said it might push through autumn 2024. Things have changed, and the lawmakers concluded "late 2024" as the new deadline.
Is the USB-C Legislation Limited to Just Smartphones Alone?
The common charger law won't only apply to smartphones. The Verge writes in the same report that headphones, gaming consoles, tablets, and digital cameras will also be covered by nationwide legislation.
Laptops, unfortunately, won't be covered for now. However, they are expected to be covered by the law in April 2026.
Apart from that, the mandate will only be applicable to devices that support wired charging. This means that if you have a wireless iPhone that you will charge later, you won't be required to use USB Type-C.
"[Member States] shall apply those measures from 28 December 2024 for the categories or classes of radio equipment referred to in Part I, points 1.1 to 1.12 of Annex Ia, and from 28 April 2026 for the categories or classes of radio equipment referred to in Part I, point 1.13 of Annex Ia," EU writes in its official website.
Related Article: Apple iPhone 15: Finally Switching to USB-C, But Lightning Cables are Still a Need for AirPods Pro 2
Apple Will Be Forced to Comply
As Macrumors reports, Greg Joswiak, the current VP of worldwide marketing of Apple, said that the company would be forced to follow the strict law of using USB-C on all devices.
The iPhone maker's transition from Lighting to USB-C cable is not an easy task. This huge adjustment will cost them millions of dollars by staying away from the usual charger.
Macrumors adds that Apple might have to wait until September 2024, the possible month when we would see iPhone 16, before switching up to the USB-C charging port.
Some reports say that the tech giant has plans to do that as early as fall 2024, just in time for the launch of the iPhone 15 in September 2023.
Aside from iPhones, Apple will need to adhere to the common charger law by rolling out the USB-C charging port to AirPods, MacBooks, accessories, trackpads, and more gadgets.
