Officials from the European Union agreed Tuesday to new rules that require a uniform charging cable for smartphones and other devices. This will make it easier for consumers who are tired of searching through tangled cables looking for the right one.
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E.U. will be affected by the new rules which take effect in fall 2024. Consumers will need to use the same USB Type-C cable to charge small and medium-sized portable electronic devices.
These devices include smartphones, tablets, ereaders, earbuds digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld consoles, and portable speakers.
Laptops are also covered, however manufacturers will need to take extra time to comply.
Apple is the only one that has not yet adopted USB-C sockets in their products.
Apple did not respond to a request to comment. The company previously stated that it was concerned about the rules limiting innovation and causing harm to consumers. Apple iPhones have a Lightning charging port. However, newer iPhones can also be charged using cables that plug into a USB-C socket.
The E.U. The E.U.’s rules outline standards for fast charging technology. Consumers have the option to purchase new devices with or without a charge – which is what the E.U. Consumers will be able to save 250 million euros ($266 millions) per year, according to estimates.
Another goal is to reduce electronic waste. The E.U. The E.U. estimates that chargers that have been disposed of or not used account for 11,000 tonnes of electronic waste in Europe each year.
The E.U. The E.U. spent over a decade trying convince the electronics industry to adopt a common charging standard. This effort whittled down different charging plugs to a handful before the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, finally forced the issue with draft legislation last Sept.
