The European Parliament has announced that all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the European Union will be equipped with a standard USB Type-C charging port from December 28, 2024.
Taking to ‘X’, the European Parliament said the move has been taken for the convenience of the public and the betterment of the environment.
In a statement in October 2022, the European Parliament first announced that by the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port and from spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops.
The new law, adopted in 2022 by plenary with 602 votes in favour, 13 against and 8 abstentions, is part of a broader EU effort to reduce e-waste and to empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.
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.
Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.
All devices that support fast charging will now have the same charging speed, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger. (NewsWire)