All Units Offered within the EU Will Now Be USB-C Appropriate

Should you’re heading to the EU anytime quickly, it’s unlikely you’ll have a lot hassle discovering a USB-C charger.

All small and medium-sized transportable digital gadgets (beneath 100 watts) offered within the EU should now be suitable with USB-C ports. This implies you’ll solely want a USB-C charger for all new smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, and online game consoles offered throughout the 27-country bloc. Nevertheless, the principles aren’t set to use to laptops till April 28, 2026.

The European Parliament confirmed the transfer in October 2022, citing environmental considerations similar to digital waste, in addition to fears concerning the “technological lock-in” impact, the place a shopper turns into depending on a single producer.

Not everybody was pleased concerning the EU’s determination, at the very least initially. Apple tried to legally problem the choice, which compelled the corporate to maneuver away from its proprietary Lightning charger if it needed to promote gadgets within the EU. In a 2021 assertion, Apple stated the transfer “stifles innovation fairly than encouraging it.”

Apple additionally argued that discontinuing the Lightning charging port on iPhones would result in important waste, as tens of millions of iPhone customers could be compelled to discard their current cables.

Nevertheless, after later stating it “had no selection” however to conform, Apple launched USB-C charging to its iPhone lineup for the primary time with the iPhone 15 in September 2023.

Increasingly Apple gadgets now function built-in USB-C performance. In October 2023, Apple unveiled new M4 iMacs with keyboards, mice, and trackpads that cost by way of the USB-C normal as an alternative of Apple’s proprietary connector, although these equipment can nonetheless be bought individually.

Different main markets are following the EU’s lead. In April 2023, California regulators mandated that each one cellphones and small digital gadgets offered after Jan. 1, 2026, have to be fitted with USB-C chargers. In the meantime, India will begin implementing related guidelines in June 2025.

About Will McCurdy

Contributor

I’m a reporter overlaying weekend information. Earlier than becoming a member of PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC Information, The Guardian, The Occasions of London, The Each day Beast, Vice, Slate, Quick Firm, The Night Normal, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.

I’ve been a PC gamer because you needed to set up video games from a number of CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate concerning the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve lined all the pieces from crypto scandals to the artwork world, in addition to conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and international affairs.

Learn Will’s full bio

Learn the newest from Will McCurdy