After nearly fifteen years of wrangling over procedures and competences, there will finally be one universal European charger for all mobile phones and laptops. The European Parliament gave its approval for this once again last night. The obligation to standardize is intended to take effect from 2026.
The widely used USB Type-C output will become the standard for portable devices. Consumers will also soon have the choice to buy a mobile device with or without a charger. Over the past ten years, MEPs have repeatedly pushed for the introduction of a universal charger.
Producers were initially encouraged to voluntarily agree on a charger, but they failed to do so. Now the EU itself is taking action and making it mandatory.
CDA MEP Toine Manders proposed a universal charger as early as 2009. At the time, he says he was not taken seriously. The Brabander laments that it will still take years before the charger becomes mandatory.
“Why does everything take so long? Do the multinationals have too much influence, too much power, or does the European Commission have too little power? Because this should have been a fixed fact long ago, back in 2011 when the proposal was unanimously adopted by parliament and ministers.”
Manufacturers of mobile phones, tablets, and cameras will have two more years to adapt to the new rules. By the end of 2024, all devices sold in the EU must have a USB Type-C charging port. Starting in spring 2026, laptops will follow.
Thanks to the law passed by the European Parliament, consumers will save up to 250 million euros annually. This is because they will no longer be obliged to buy a new charger with every mobile device.
Additionally, there will be labels for consumers showing the charging features of new devices. Furthermore, wireless charging is increasingly becoming the norm, the MEPs acknowledge.
“With the standardization of the charger, we ensure ease of use for consumers, reduce electronic waste, and tackle market fragmentation in the European Union,” says MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen.
According to the SGP member, equal standards are important for the proper functioning of the internal market. “Here lies an important added value for European cooperation, and the directive for a universal charger for electronic devices is a very good example of that.”