USB-C – EU puts an end to cable chaos – News


contents

A uniform standard should simplify the charging of devices and protect the environment. Switzerland is also participating.

Our everyday life is becoming more and more digital and with digitization the cable clutter in the drawers is growing: cable and charger for the smartphone of course, one for the headphones, another for the camera and the game console and the e-book reader also have different connections.

Bad for the environment

Every year around 450 million portable devices are sold in the EU, many of them with cables and chargers that are actually not needed. This costs consumers money unnecessarily and harms the environment. Around 11,000 tons of electronic waste can be traced back to the chargers every year.

For 13 years, the EU has wanted to put a stop to this flood of superfluous cables and chargers and initially urged manufacturers to agree on a connection for charging the devices. But Apple, in particular, resisted regulations, arguing that this would stifle innovation.

Further measures were necessary

The EU remained firm: from 2024, around a dozen portable devices must have a USB-C connection for charging – including Apple’s iPhone. In addition to smartphones, the regulation also applies to keyboards, mice, cameras and headphones. From 2026, the regulation will also apply to notebooks.

But that’s not all: In order to effectively reduce the number of chargers and cables, manufacturers must give consumers the choice of whether they want to buy a device with or without these accessories. The savings potential is considerable: Thanks to the uniform standard, it will be possible to save 250 million euros every year and prevent 1,000 tons of electronic waste.

The rocky road to USB-C


open box
close the box

In 2009 there were 30 different ports for charging portable devices. In a declaration of intent, the manufacturers committed themselves to a common standard vis-à-vis the EU Commission. Although the deadline was extended several times, the providers of devices could not agree.

By 2018, the number of different plugs had been reduced to three – still two too many for the EU Commission. She decided to introduce a unified plug and fast charging protocol. In addition, in future consumers should be able to choose whether they buy a smartphone with or without a charger.

The decision for the uniform USB-C charging plug has been made.

After the summer break, probably in September, the EU Parliament will vote on the regulation that stipulates the unbundling of charging plugs and devices.

Impact goes beyond the EU

In Switzerland too, only devices that can be charged via a USB-C connection will come onto the market in the future. In 2016, the Ordinance on the Telecommunications Act was amended so that these requirements can be activated, writes the Federal Office of Communications at the request of SRF.

And in the USA, too, three members of the Senate called on the Department of Commerce in an open letter to follow the example of the EU.

Is the regulation too late?

It was more than 15 years before the USB-C connection was introduced. Technical development has not stood still during this time.

Many smartphones can now be charged wirelessly – provided you have the charger that fits your cell phone. Here, too, there is already more than one standard for this technology. In order to counteract the uncontrolled growth, the EU will also prescribe a standard for wireless devices.

The current list of portable devices that have a USB-C port is also not definitive. More devices may be added to the catalog in the future.

source site-72