The European Parliament adopted a law on a single standard for chargers

Today the European Parliament accepted legislation requiring all mobile devices, tablets and cameras sold in the EU to be equipped with USB Type-C chargers by the end of 2024. From the spring of 2026, this rule also applies to laptops. The law was adopted by an overwhelming majority: 602 votes in favor, 13 against and 8 abstentions.

“The law is part of a broader EU strategy to reduce e-waste, which would provide consumers with greener choices,” the European Parliament said in a statement. “Regardless of the manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, portable game consoles , speakers, e-books, keyboards, mice, navigation devices that are charged from the wire will need to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.

Experts believe that one of the main “victims” of the new law among the leading manufacturers of consumer electronics will be the American corporation Apple. Unlike many other mobile device manufacturers, it does not use USB Type-C, preferring its own Lightning standard. American, European and Asian manufacturers that produce mobile devices on the Android OS have recently switched to a single USB Type-C standard. Observers do not rule outthat in the event of further approval of the new law by the European Council and its entry into force in 2024, the American corporation will have to equip its devices sold in the EU with USB Type-C adapters.

Evgeniy Khvostik