All new devices in the EU now must be USB-C compatible

All electronic devices sold within the EU must now sport a USB-C charging port, according to a new directive by the European Commission that took effect over the weekend.

The EU Common Charger Directive officially kicked in on December 28th, meaning consumers will be able to use one USB-C or Type C charger to power all new electronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and earbuds.

Originally passed in June 2022, the new directive aims to not only “favor technological innovation” and “avoid market fragmentation,” but also to reduce the amount of electronic waste by limiting the number of new chargers being sold on the market.

Predicted to save consumers “at least €250 million a year” on unnecessary charger purchases, the “one common charging solution for all” also states that chargers will also be “unbundled from the sale of electronic devices.”

Instead, device-makers will now be required to provide clear “visual and written information” on a product's packaging so customers will know if a charger is included with a device they plan to purchase.

According to the European Commission, an estimated 11,000 tons of chargers are unused or thrown out annually across the European Union.

“We all have a drawer full of different cables and chargers in our homes and the Common Charger Directive will make this a thing of the past. Reusing compatible chargers will further promote the circular economy and reduce the impact of technology on the environment,” said Ireland’s Communications Regulation (ComReg) Commissioner Helen Dixon.

Devices covered under the Common Charger rule include:

• Mobile phones
• Tablets
• Digital cameras
• Handheld video game consoles
• Headsets, earbuds, headphones
• Portable loud speakers
• Portable navigatipn system
• E-readers
• Keyboards, mice
• Laptops (2026)

Laptops will also be required to change over to USB-C ports, but manufacturers will have until April 28th, 2026, to make the switch.

Additionally, by requiring all portable devices to be USB-C compatible, charging speeds are expected to become uniform, eliminating the ability of manufacturers “from unjustifiably limiting charging speed,” the Commission stated.

Apple, the biggest device maker affected by the law, in September 2023 proactively began to change over all its devices to use USB-C ports and chargers.