The European Union will soon require only one cable port to charge smartphones and other devices. EU officials said Tuesday they inked a provisional agreement Tuesday that will require a uniform charging cord in the 27-nation bloc. It's part of a wider effort to make products sold in the EU more sustainable and cut down on electronic waste.
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The new rules, which will take effect by fall 2024, mean EU consumers will only need to use a common USB Type-C cable for small and medium-sized rechargeable, portable electronic devices.
"European consumers were frustrated with multiple chargers piling up within their homes," Alex Agius Saliba, the European Parliament's lead negotiator, said at a press briefing in Brussels. "Now, they will be able to go with a single charger for all portable electronics, which is an important step to increase consumer convenience."
The devices covered include mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles, keyboards and mice, portable speakers and navigation devices.
Laptops also are covered, but manufacturers will have extra time to comply.
