European Parliament votes for mandatory USB-C connection on small electronics

The European Parliament has voted for the obligation of USB-C connections on new smartphones, tablets, cameras and other small devices in the EU. The law will take effect at the end of 2024 and will also apply to laptops in the long term.

The vote in Parliament took place on Tuesday. There were 602 votes in favor of the law, 13 against the law and 8 abstentions, reports the European Parliament. The new law will initially apply to new smartphones, tablets and cameras from the autumn of 2024. From 2026, laptops must also have a USB-C port. It only applies to devices that have a charging port. Wireless charging-only devices don’t need to have a USB-C port. With the vote in parliament, the regulations have become final.

Earlier this year, the EU Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the law. The rules currently cover “small and medium-sized portable electronic devices” that charge wired, regardless of manufacturer. This includes, for example, smartphones and tablets, including future iPhones from Apple, which have been using Apple’s own Lightning connection for years. The law also applies to digital cameras, e-readers, earplugs, headphones, headsets, keyboards and mice, handheld consoles, navigation systems and portable speakers.

With the new rules, the EU wants to ensure that users can charge all mobile devices with the same adapter, which should lead to less waste. Discarded and unused adapters and charging cables generate 11,000 tons of electronic waste per year in the EU, Parliament says. The law should also make it easier for consumers to charge their devices without having to use different types of chargers and cables. In addition, consumers should be given the choice of whether they want to purchase a new device with or without the supplied charger.