EU will require all electronic devices to use USB-C by 2024

After many years of consultation, the EU announced today that it has reached an agreement to make the USB-C port a prerequisite for any electronic device to be launched in member countries from 2024 onwards. Its goal is to reduce electronic waste and make it easier for users in their daily lives, as they will not have to carry multiple chargers and cables with them.

The EU announcement typically states that thanks to new legislation that will take effect from 2024 onwards, consumers in Europe will save a total of more than € 250 million a year from the pointless purchase of cables and chargers.

All manufacturers, including Apple, of course, should adopt the USB-C port on smartphones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones, portable game consoles and portable speakers, while laptops will take a little longer. for the change to proceed. It is also unclear what will happen to fitness trackers and smartwatches, which were previously labeled by the EU as too small devices to require a USB-C socket.

In addition to the mandatory USB-C port, the EU says in a statement that it is working on a requirement for manufacturers to require a common fast charging technology, but so far no details have been released on the plan.