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
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.
