the universal charger finally becomes obligatory

This measure aims to combat the 11,000 tonnes of annual waste generated by unused and discarded chargers, while allowing consumers to save up to 250 million euros per year. This ecological and economic initiative also aims to simplify users’ lives and encourage more sustainable choices.

The universal charger, synonymous with simplicity for consumers

Starting December 28, 2024, all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones and other portable devices sold in the European Union must be compatible with a universal USB-C charger. Laptops will have to comply with it from 2026. This measure, adopted by the European Parliament with a large majority, will allow users to charge their devices with a single cable, regardless of the manufacturer.

This standardization offers concrete advantages: less mess due to multiple cables, increased ease of use and the possibility of sharing a charger between different devices. For manufacturers, this means making their products compatible with this standard, while giving consumers the choice of whether or not to purchase a charger with a new device.

An approach to reducing electronic waste

The benefits are not limited to user comfort. Each year, in Europe, between 11,000 and 13,000 tonnes of electronic waste come from obsolete or unused chargers. The directive should help to significantly reduce this waste, although chargers represent only a fraction of the 4.5 million tonnes of e-waste produced each year in the European Union.

The adoption of the universal charger is a concrete response to the environmental issues linked to the production of electronic components. By promoting the reuse of chargers, the European Commission hopes not only to reduce CO2 emissions, but also to encourage more sustainable consumption. Finally, the next step will concern the regulation of wireless charging technologies, a growing sector, in order to ensure the same interoperability and avoid new “technological locks”.

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