It’s official. The European Parliament approved with 602 votes to 13 once morest the measure that makes the port universal USB-C as a standard for phones and most electronic devices in the region.
The measure, which was previously widely discussed and had already been accepted by multiple representatives, will force companies like Apple to switch to this port by the end of 2024.
USB-C for everyone
MEPs have approved the regulation that requires that all cell phones, tablets, electronic books, digital cameras, consoles and headphones come with a charging port USB-C.
The measure will come into force in Europe from the spring of 2024 (September) and seeks to reduce the electronic waste generated by the lack of harmonization.
According to the European Commission, the fact that there are USB 2.0 Micro B chargers in the same market, the USB-C and the Lightning (exclusive to Apple) caused the generation of 11 thousand tons of electronic waste per year.
The new regulation aims to tackle this figure by allowing consumers to buy new electronic devices without having to buy an additional charger (which will save citizens up to 250 million euros per year in unnecessary chargers).
Laptops will have more months
Laptops or portable computers will also be affected by this new law, but will have a longer adaptation period.
The computers will have to be attached to the same charger three and a half years following the start of the standard, so they will only be forced in mid-2028.
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