The single charger began to become a reality some time ago. The regulations that make it mandatory in Europe were approved more than two years ago, and since then we have seen how manufacturers have been adapting… yes, even Apple, in September 2023 with the iPhone 15, despite having been against it for years . Now, with the definitive entry into force in Spain just two days away, we are about to close a stage in which the variety of connectors and chargers not only complicated the lives of users, but also generated a significant environmental impact.
The regulation, which will make USB-C the mandatory standard for electronic device chargers will complete the moratorium granted to manufacturers in just two days, next Saturday, December 28. We are talking, of course, about the transposition of the European legal norm to the Spanish legal framework. This means that all new cell phones, tablets, digital cameras and other small electronic devices sold from that date onwards must have a USB-C charging port. This measure not only seeks to facilitate the daily lives of users, it also aims to reduce electronic waste by eliminating the need to have multiple incompatible chargers.
Although the transition to USB-C is almost a reality in mid- and high-range devices, The impact will be greater in the so-called feature phonesbasic phones that still use the micro-USB connector. This segment, aimed mainly at users who prioritize simplicity or emerging markets, will have to adapt to the new regulations. However, it is foreseeable that some manufacturers will choose to maintain this connector for specific models intended for markets outside the European Union.
Another significant change is the extension of this obligation to laptops, which must incorporate USB-C as a charging standard from April 2026. This decision, in addition to unifying the consumer experience, marks an important step towards sustainability, since it encourages the reuse of chargers and reduces the environmental impact associated with the manufacture of exclusive accessories for each device.
Since its approval in October 2022, The regulations have faced both praise and criticism. On the one hand, the convenience that unifying the charging standard will bring is celebrated, while some manufacturers (a minority, fortunately) have pointed out the technical and economic challenges of adapting certain devices. Despite this, most of the big brands, with Apple at the helm, have already taken the leap, integrating USB-C in their most recent launches, which makes it clear that the single charger is here to stay.
Source: www.muycomputer.com
