USB‑C charging everywhere: Electronic devices set for universal standard by 2024

The European Commission has brought attention to the fact, via social media, that Europe will transition to a proper charging standard in 2024. Regulations that once pressured Apple to incorporate the USB-C connector in iPhones are now due to extend to nearly all electronics.

A uniform charging standard is a consideration that electronics manufacturers must take into account. Without the adoption of the universal USB-C connector, selling smartphones in Europe will become impossible by 2024, an inconvenience that will also ring true for:

• Tablets
• Cameras and digital cameras
• eReaders
• Keyboards and mice
• Navigation devices
• Headphones
• Portable speakers, and consoles, among others.

In the future, we will also see an increasing availability of laptops supporting USB-C charging. While these types of devices will only be covered by the new regulations in 2026, most manufacturers are already adhering to the impending rules.

The electronic world's adoption of the USB-C charging standard is intended to combat the issue of e-waste. If manufacturers embrace a single universal connector, users will require fewer chargers. As a result, we should be able to accommodate multiple devices using the same cable and plug.

In line with this thinking, EU regulations also mandate that manufacturers no longer include additional charging sets with each new device. These should be purchased separately, in quantities that match our needs.