USB, goodbye to the tangle of cables: Europe adopts universal standard

Starting from Saturday 28 December 2024, consumers in the European Union will be able to say goodbye to the multitude of chargers for their electronic devices. In fact, USB Type-C becomes the charging standard for smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, video game consoles and other small and medium-sized portable devices sold within the block. This legislation, approved by a large majority by the European Parliament and member states in 2022, aims to reduce the environmental impact of e-waste and make consumers’ lives easier. It is estimated that eliminating unnecessary chargers will save European families around 250 million euros per year.

“This is a decisive step towards consumer convenience and environmental responsibility,” said Anna Cavazzini, president of the European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee. The legislation also provides that consumers can choose not to receive a new charger with each device purchased. Laptop manufacturers will have until April 28, 2026 to comply with the new rules. The adoption of the USB-C standard has long been opposed by electronics manufacturers, particularly Apple, which initially raised concerns about the innovation. However, the tech giant subsequently complied with the directive, introducing the USB-C port on its devices. The European Parliament has assured that it will carefully monitor manufacturers’ adaptation to these changes.