By the end of 2024, the European Union will require the use of USB-C charging for mobile devices.

The European Parliament Votes for USB-C as Common Charging Standard

Recently, the European Parliament made a significant decision to establish USB-C as the common charging standard across the European Union. This new regulation will require all mobile devices, such as phones, tablets, and earbuds, with power delivery of up to 100W, to be equipped with a USB-C charging port by the end of 2024. Even laptops will need to make the transition to USB-C by the spring of 2026. Products released before these deadlines will remain unaffected by this regulation.

Significance of the Regulation

The main objective behind this regulation is to reduce electronic waste by allowing consumers to use their existing chargers to power new devices. Additionally, it aims to eliminate technological “lock-in” that forces users to stick to specific proprietary formats from manufacturers. The regulation also sets expectations for fast charging support, requiring devices to provide at least 18W from USB-C’s Power Delivery specification.

Impact on Apple and Future Plans

One major player that will be impacted by this requirement is Apple, which has been sticking to its proprietary Lightning ports on iPhones and other devices, despite the industry shift towards USB-C. While Apple has expressed concerns about the regulation potentially hindering innovation, the company will ultimately need to make the transition to USB-C. There are speculations that Apple is already testing USB-C iPhones for a potential release in 2023, with the entry-level iPad expected to adopt the port later this year.

Long-term Implications and Concerns

Although there are expectations for the development of innovative charging solutions under this law, companies will need to obtain EU approval before implementing any changes. Additionally, the regulation does not cover hardware exceeding 100W, meaning manufacturers are not obligated to switch to USB-C 2.1 for high-performance laptops. Nevertheless, this move towards a common charging standard is likely to be well-received by consumers who prefer not to buy new chargers and cables when switching between different mobile platforms.