UPDATE 09/06/22: The United Kingdom is not “currently considering” copying the charger rule planned by the European Union.
According to Brexit, the United Kingdom does not have to comply with the new rule, although under the current agreement, after Brexit, the regulation will still apply in Northern Ireland, as it remains within the EU’s single market for goods.
Critics of the regulation said it would stifle innovation, despite the benefits of reducing e-waste.
A spokesman for the UK government told the BBC that we are not currently considering repeating this requirement.
ORIGINAL HISTORY 08/06/22: By the autumn of 2024, all portable electronic devices sold in the EU will have to use USB Type-C for charging.
The European Commission announced plans for this last year and has now issued a press release confirming the 2024 deadline.
The goal is to reduce e-waste and make it more user-friendly with just one “common charger”.
Eurogamer Newscast: Will I be subscribing to the PlayStation Plus Premium and how is the Xbox coping with the loss of Starfield this year?
“Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger and cable every time they buy a new device, and can use a single charger for all their small and medium-sized portable electronic devices,” the statement said.
“Charging speed is also harmonized for devices that support fast charging, which allows users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.”
The new rules will affect phones, tablets, e-readers, headphones, digital cameras, headphones and earphones, handheld video game consoles and rechargeable portable speakers.
Laptops will also have to use USB-C, although there are an additional 40 months by the fall of 2024.
Both the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck already use USB-C for charging.
The biggest impact then will be Apple’s iPhone and iPad, which will no longer be able to use lightning cables. However, as its new devices can also be charged wirelessly, this could become the new standard.
Add Comment