The USB-C directive, which requires almost all mobile devices to have a universal charging port, is now in force in the EU. The ultimate goal of the directive is to reduce e-waste and resolve market fragmentation. However, universal USB-C ports are only one part of the directive – the EU also wants to improve labeling, fast charging and e-waste reduction.
The European Commission, the EU’s governing body, decided in 2022 that starting in 2025, mobile phones must ship with a universal charging port, and it must be USB-C. All 27 EU member states had until last weekend, December 28, to merge the directive into their national laws.
The directive covers all mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld video consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems and earbuds that are rechargeable with a wired cable and operate on electricity. Can. Delivery up to 100 watts.
The directive states that laptop manufacturers have some additional time till April 28, 2026 (or 16 more months) to comply with the directive. Additionally, some devices, such as the PlayStation 5 for example, which has a power rating of 350W, are not covered by the rules.
There are some devices that are still not covered, like drones or wireless chargers. The European Commission said it would “continuously assess market developments, market fragmentation and technological progress” to keep the list of devices “as relevant and up-to-date as possible”.
According to the instructions, devices are not required to have only USB-C ports. They require a USB-C charging port, but they can still use their own proprietary charging solution, like a MacBook, for example.
Additionally, if a device without a USB-C port is already on the market, it may remain on the shelves. However, manufacturers cannot introduce new products without ports, and retailers cannot receive shipments of older devices.
Pictograms of whether the charger is in the box, not in the box, and what the charging rates are
The second aspect of the instructions concerns the charging solution. It states that any device that can be recharged with a voltage greater than 5V, current greater than 3A or power greater than 15W must comply with USB-PD.
This means the iPhone and Pixel are in the clear, but OnePlus and Oppo devices with SuperVOOC will have to enable USB PD; Otherwise, they will be kept away from the market.
For example, Realme GT7 Pro needs to enable USB-PD
The European Commission is allowing users to purchase a new electronic device without a new charger. The goal is to prevent excessive waste, which results in buyers having lots of duplicate chargers that go unused and often end up in the general trash, where they are rarely recycled.
This means phones in the 27 EU countries will no longer come with a charger in the box. The EC hopes that the user base will adapt to the new directive over time and will make it a little easier to provide a graphic on the retail box of a mobile device indicating whether it comes with a charger or not.
Phones across all price ranges will no longer come with an adapter in the box
Each country will be able to impose its own understanding of measures and rules to ensure compliance with the rules by companies and retailers. It will be interesting to see how this group will adapt to the new situation, which has already begun – Apple and Samsung stopped shipping chargers a long time ago, and we already have two iPhones with USB-C ports. There are generations.
Another interesting topic is whether other regions will follow in the EU’s footsteps. This directive seems troublesome for manufacturers, but the reality is that it is a big win for consumers. The union has once again proven itself to be an organization that favors its citizens, not the corporate overlords.
