Trending

Stories

USB-C is Now Mandatory for All Consumer Electronics from 2024 European Union Rules 

Must Read

Yusuf Balogun
Yusuf Balogunhttps://mssg.me/q19uh
Yusuf is a fresh law graduate and freelance journalist with a special interest in tech reporting. He joined the tech sphere in 2019 and has written several articles. He believes in tech innovations as an aspiring health law expert, in the future, Yusuf hopes to use the same for solving global health challenges.

The European Union parliament has voted to mandate a single charging port for all consumer electronics starting from 2024. The new mandatory resolution applies to all mobile phones, tablets, earbuds, laptops, cameras, and all other gadgets.

The vote confirms an earlier agreement among EU institutions and will make USB-C connectors used by Android-based devices the EU standard, forcing Apple to change its charging port for its devices

Also Read

The Genesis of the Law

Earlier this year, reports revealed that USB-C iPhones would become mandatory from 2024 for all models sold in Europe, as the European Union reached an agreement on a common charging port for all smartphones. Although when the new rule was first introduced back in June, a full vote of the European Parliament was required but not obtained then. 

However, the EU parliament now passed a resolution mandating that by the end of 2024, all consumer electronics, including the iPhone and AirPods, use USB-C. The law’s main goal is to reduce electrical waste because people throw away phone chargers and/or cables when they buy new phones.

The New Mandatory Law

The new rule, which was approved by the plenary on Tuesday with 602 votes in favour, 13 votes against, and 8 abstentions, is a component of a larger EU initiative to minimize e-waste and give consumers more ability to make environmentally friendly decisions. It encompasses not just smartphones but a wide range of other gadgets as well.

“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. From spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops. The new law, adopted by plenary on Tuesday with 602 votes in favour, 13 against, and 8 abstentions, is part of a broader EU effort to reduce e-waste and 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 can 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 video game 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.” the press release reads.

Effect on upcoming Apple Products 

With the new EU parliament’s mandatory resolution directing all consumer electronics, Apple will have no option but to switch to USB-C for all its products, including the iPhone and AirPods. Even though Apple would technically be required by law to move from Lightning to USB-C iPhone ports by the iPhone 16, it appears likely that the corporation would have already done so. 

At the same time, we reported last month that the popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple would switch to USB-C in the upcoming iPhone 15 next year. That means the tech giant has been planning for the EU resolution before 2024. Therefore, all Apple’s products will now use USB-C ports. Follow TechGenyz for more updates.

Stay updated

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss an update on the latest tech, gaming, startup, how to guide, deals and more.

Latest

Stories

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Latest

Grow Your Business

Place your brand in front of tech-savvy audience. Partner with us to build brand awareness, increase website traffic, generate qualified leads, and grow your business.

- Advertisement -

Related

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Twitter Blue: One-Hour Tweet Editing Window for Subscribers Google Pay Enables Aadhaar-Based UPI Authentication iOS 17: Improved Autocorrect with Personalized On-Device ML OnePlus Nord N30 5G goes official in the U.S. Apple Introduces Vision Pro VR Headset for Augmented and Virtual Reality Microsoft to Pay $20M Fine for Violating Children’s Privacy with Xbox Nothing Phone (2) Confirmed for India Production Fitbit Integration with Google Accounts Begins Xiaomi 13 Ultra Global Launch: Offers, Price, Specs Meta Unveils Quest 3 VR Headset, Reduces Price for Quest 2
Twitter Blue: One-Hour Tweet Editing Window for Subscribers Google Pay Enables Aadhaar-Based UPI Authentication iOS 17: Improved Autocorrect with Personalized On-Device ML OnePlus Nord N30 5G goes official in the U.S. Apple Introduces Vision Pro VR Headset for Augmented and Virtual Reality Microsoft to Pay $20M Fine for Violating Children’s Privacy with Xbox Nothing Phone (2) Confirmed for India Production Fitbit Integration with Google Accounts Begins