USB-C to become mandatory for all phones sold in Europe

Finally in the European Union reached agreement on a law requiring all future smartphones sold in the EU to be equipped with a universal USB-C port for wired charging.

This rule will even apply to Apple's iPhones, which now come with a Lightning connector. Moreover, the law will also apply to other electronic devices, including tablets, digital cameras, headphones, handheld game consoles and e-readers. Laptops will have to comply with this rule at a later date.

The bill has been in development for over ten years. He has to pass the approval in the Parliament and the Council of the EU at the end of 2022, but this seems to be just a formality. The law will enter into force in the fall of 2024.

The introduction of the "common charger" is the EU's attempt to reduce e-waste and make life easier for consumers. Lawmakers are hoping that phones and other mobile gadgets will ship without chargers in the box in the future, as buyers will already have the right accessories at home.

The EU estimates that such a law would help consumers save around 250 million euros a year on "unnecessary chargers" and cut about 11,000 tons of e-waste annually.