Friday, April 22nd 2022
European Union MEPs Agree on Making USB Type-C the Standard Charging Connector
This past week, the EU's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee agreed on adopting USB Type-C as the union's standard charging connector, with 43 votes in favour and two against. It's part of the Radio Equipment Directive and it means that USB-C is now very close to becoming the de facto connector for charging a wide range of consumer electronics. The charging standard will apply to what the committee calls small and medium-sized electronic gadgets and include mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers. Exemptions will apply for devices that are too small to incorporate a USB-C port, such a smart watches, health trackers and some sports equipment.
The directive still has to be approved by the EU parliament, which is expected to happen in May during the plenary session. There will be an initial transition period and the new requirements aren't expected to start to apply until early 2024. In addition to the new directive, the MEPs also want to see clear labelling on devices in terms of how much power they can deliver, since this can sometimes be hard to figure out as a consumer. They also want to see clear labelling on product packaging if a charger is supplied or not. Furthermore, the MEPs want the European Commission to present a strategy with regards to wireless chargers by the end of 2026, to make sure there's some kind of minimal interoperability between the various wireless charging standards. This is said to be to try and avoid market fragmentation, as well as to reduce e-waste and to try and prevent consumer "lock-in" to proprietary charging standards. The EU is said to end up with 11 to 13-thousand tons of e-waste from chargers alone on a yearly basis, so it's not hard to see why the union wants to see a unified charging standard for most electronics.
Source:
The European Union
The directive still has to be approved by the EU parliament, which is expected to happen in May during the plenary session. There will be an initial transition period and the new requirements aren't expected to start to apply until early 2024. In addition to the new directive, the MEPs also want to see clear labelling on devices in terms of how much power they can deliver, since this can sometimes be hard to figure out as a consumer. They also want to see clear labelling on product packaging if a charger is supplied or not. Furthermore, the MEPs want the European Commission to present a strategy with regards to wireless chargers by the end of 2026, to make sure there's some kind of minimal interoperability between the various wireless charging standards. This is said to be to try and avoid market fragmentation, as well as to reduce e-waste and to try and prevent consumer "lock-in" to proprietary charging standards. The EU is said to end up with 11 to 13-thousand tons of e-waste from chargers alone on a yearly basis, so it's not hard to see why the union wants to see a unified charging standard for most electronics.
52 Comments on European Union MEPs Agree on Making USB Type-C the Standard Charging Connector
If UE dosn't warn about this many years ago, today many manufactures would still using his own chargers, only for greed.
Ironically, Apple's had USB-C charging for all their laptops for 6 years now.
Many manufacturers, like Apple for example, did not want to use USB-C because they make millions in accessories.
And thanks to a quite large european market, this will push even them to USB-C. Finally.
Did they release details on how this requirement will keep up with the evolving specs of USB 3.x and beyond?
They are more durable than micro-usb, usb-c.
I've an Asus laptop with exclusive dimensions and a big converter, if I want to buy a replacement, it´s more than 100€ and difficult to find.
With universal charger, like for example new Dell laptops (and many others, of course), I've a 65W USB-C charger for everything!
Most high-power charging cables are only USB 2.0, as to not make them too stiff.
Then again, more than 50% of new phones are still only USB 2.0, despite using USB-C, so...
USB4 is still using the same connector, so it's not going to be an issue for at least the next 5-6 years I'd guess, maybe longer.
Die all other types of USB connectors, just friggin die already ..:roll:..:clap:..:rockout:
Lets just hope this will quickly carry over to the US & all other countries too !
We are light years better with the modern standards.
I remember our old style Dell docks used the drop-on style with a connector underneath the laptops and I don't recall having more than 1 dock connector going bad in over 5 years of using that style.
I'd prefer something more solid and reliable.
On the point of this legislation, the intention is probably even somewhat laudable, but in the long run forcing everyone to use this particular connection might very well hinder innovation, including further revisions of the USB standard.
USB-C cables need to have markings on them (like, as part of the plastic so they cant rub off) stating the power and data speeds (65W 5GB, 100W 480Mb, etc etc)
And as for the wireless charging... yes. Jesus it's bad.
I've got four wireless charging capable phones that only agree on the 5W standard, and need same-brand accesories for fast charging, and two smart watches that only work with one specific annoying discontinued charger you literally cannot buy legit any longer (only chinese fakes)That cant transmit data, and as someone with ~15 or so power bricks in a closet all the same voltage (12V) but the connectors are slightly different... we needed this change.That's a dell issue, not a USB-C issue. Dell used flimsy components.
For the first time in EU history something good for tech market, finally.
I'm so sick and tired of those mini, micro-usb, usb-a/b garbage. Not to mention Lighting. Get rid of all that crap. Plus, why motherboards still only have 1 perhaps 2 USB-C is beyond me. It's not 2015 when TB3 was new thing. It's 2022 and USB-C is standard for 7 years.
Apple being forced to change from lightning in Europe too... everyone should have gone USB C years ago, just greed getting in the way. Want to sell proprietory kit, never understand people paying money to be tied in to it!
Screw Apple they will always follow their own trail of shit.