[German]On October 4, 2022, the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved the introduction of the USB-C interface as a common charging port for a wide range of electronic devices. This will then also affect Apple's devices such as the iPhone and AirPods. The uniform EU charging standard is then to be introduced by the end of 2024.
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In my blog post USB-C as a uniform standard for charging cable is coming in Europe I had mentioned the the long road to this direction for a device charging cable standard agreement. In 2013 I had a German blog post Einheitliche EU-Ladeschnittstelle für Smartphones & Tablets on the topic. Back in 2011 there was a voluntary commitment by smartphone manufacturers and importers, for a unified charging interface for cables.
USB-C interface smartphone, source: own image
But that failed, and in September 2021 the EU Commission drew a sobering conclusion: Although a voluntary approach had been worked on with the industry for years, leading to a reduction of the multitude of chargers from 30 to three types over the last ten years, a complete solution could not be found. As a result, a legislative initiative was launched.
Negotiators of the European Parliament and EU states had agreed on June 6, 2022 on the introduction of a uniform charging socket for smartphones (USB-C) as a uniform charging cable standard within the European Union. Now, a vote to introduce the directive in question took place in the European Parliament on October 4, 2022. The directive received (according to the press release of the EU Parliament) 602 votes in favor, 13 against and eight abstentions.
By the end of 2024, all cell phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU must be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will also be extended to laptops.
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Regardless of manufacturer, all new cell phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, portable video game consoles and speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that can be charged via a cable and operate at up to 100 watts must be equipped with a USB Type-C port.
All devices that support fast charging will now have the same charging speed, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.
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