The European Commission has announced an agreement on a common charger for all phones, tablets, and headphones.
All small and medium devices will use USB type C chargers from 2024.
It's part of a broader effort to make products in the EU more sustainable, to reduce electronic waste, and make consumers' lives easier.
Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger and cable every time they buy a new device, and can use one single charger for all small and medium-sized electronics.
We have a deal on the common charger! 🇪🇺
This means more savings for EU consumers and less waste for the planet:
🔌 mobile phones, tablets, cameras… will all use USB type C
🔌 harmonised fast-charging technology
🔌 unbundling of sale of chargers #SingleMarket #DigitalEU pic.twitter.com/qw2cJV4RY0— European Commission 🇪🇺 (@EU_Commission) June 7, 2022
"Great News"
Tech correspondent Jess Kelly says it's a positive development:
"This is great news for us the consumers as well as the environment."
"So from Autumn 2024, whether you're charging a phone, a tablet, e-reader, your headphones, a camera, whatever - they'll all have to be charged using a USB C cable."
"This is going to cut down on waste dramatically but also the stress consumers face trying to dig out a specific charger for a specific device."
