The European Union proclaims loud and clear its intention to impose the USB-C port on the vast majority of electronic devices (smartphones, headphones, portable consoles, etc.), but when can this legislation actually be put in place? ? Here are our estimates.
USB-C compulsory in Europe: it is the dream of the European Union. The subject is back on the table after a new official communiqué indicating that the European Parliament was ” ready to start negotiations on a universal charger to reduce electronic waste and optimize the use of different types of portable devices “. So all that remains is to come to an agreement with the various governments of the EU “ on the final form of legislation “.
The press release recalls that “ cell phones, tablets, digital cameras, earphones and headphones, portable video game consoles and portable speakers should all have a USB Type-C port, regardless of brand “.
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However, the European Parliament does not yet say for the moment on what precise date the legislation will really enter into force, but we can try to make some estimates.
USB-C mandatory in Europe, when is it?
The press release from the European Parliament marks the beginning of a new phase. A phase not necessarily exciting to follow for the general public since it is the one where the legislators will have to take an interest in the smallest details of the law in question. Let’s bet on discussions that could last several months and a period of about two years for the entry into force of the new regulation. This would be a similar timeline to GDPR enforcement.
Making USB-C mandatory by 2024 wouldn’t be impossible, but that date seems a tad too optimistic. The application of this regulation on January 1, 2025 seems a little more credible, in particular to allow time for the manufacturers concerned to adapt. In a more pessimistic scenario, 2026 is plausible. Especially since Apple will have two years to launch legal actions, which could lead to a delay. Again, remember that these are guesses.
What about wireless charging?
In reality, the European Parliament does indeed evoke a semblance of a date, but only for wireless charging.
In view of the increasingly widespread practice of wireless charging, MEPs also call on the European Commission to present a strategy by the end of 2026 guaranteeing a minimum level of interoperability for all new charging solutions.
In other words, the effort carried out on the imposition of USB-C ports should subsequently extend to wireless charging. It remains to be seen whether or not Apple will try to retaliate to protect its proprietary Lightning connector on iPhones.
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