European Commission Intends To Mandate That All Portable Devices Use USB-C

24-month deadline set for manufacturers, Apple’s iPhones most seriously affected short-term

The European Commission certainly took its time, but it’s now forcing all manufacturers to use a common standard for portable device charging. That standard is, of course, USB-C. (Image: Marcus Urbenz, Unsplash)

It’s been a long time coming — probably way too long — but it’s now official: the European Union intends to force tech product manufacturers into using a common USB-C charging port for all of their devices. This was announced today as one of the measures the European Commission is taking in order to cut down on electronic waste, encouraging people to re-use existing chargers and cables when they buy new products such as smartphones, tablets headphones, portable speakers, video and photo cameras, even videogame systems and controllers.

In the same proposal to be put on vote soon, tech product manufacturers are also forced to make their fast-charging standards “interoperable” (they already are in most cases) and to provide information to customers about what charging standards those products support. European consumers “will be able to buy” new devices without an included charger, meaning that they may or may not be given the option. Apple and Samsung have already stopped including chargers with their smartphones.