{"id":4150,"date":"2026-01-06T08:23:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T07:23:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.batteriedeportable.com\/guides-et-conseils\/when-eu-universal-charger-standard-effective\/"},"modified":"2026-11-02T13:47:04","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T12:47:04","slug":"when-eu-universal-charger-standard-effective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.batterylaptop.co.uk\/guides\/when-eu-universal-charger-standard-effective\/","title":{"rendered":"When will the European universal charger standard take effect?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The European Union has been working for more than fifteen years to put an end to the proliferation of charging cables and power adapters. <\/span>The introduction of a single universal charger<\/a> is the result of a drive to cut the colossal volume of electronic waste, while giving users of mobile devices unprecedented simplicity and convenience<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the universal charger? <\/span><\/h2>\n

It is an initiative launched by the EU to reduce the large volumes of electronic waste linked to mobile devices. The principle is simple: if a single type of connector is used across all your gadgets, you only need one power adapter.<\/span><\/p>\n

In September 2021, the European Commission (EC) took a major institutional step. The decision aims both to reduce the volume of waste and to encourage users to reuse their existing chargers with their new purchases. <\/span>Once the regulation applies, all mobile phones sold on the EU market will have to be compatible with the USB\u2011C standard<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to EC data, in 2018 the breakdown of chargers sold was as follows: USB Micro\u2011B accounted for around 50%, USB\u2011C 29%, and the Lightning connector, used exclusively by Apple for its iPhones, 21%.<\/span><\/p>\n

Products covered by the power supply harmonisation<\/span><\/h2>\n

The proposal to standardise mobile chargers covers several categories of electronic equipment:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Smartphones.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Tablets.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Cameras.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Headsets and earphones.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Portable speakers.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Video game consoles.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Devices such as smartwatches, fitness bands and true wireless earbuds are temporarily excluded from this regulatory initiative. The reason given is the technical constraints linked to their size, design or specific usage conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

    For now, the new rules do not apply to chargers for laptops, drones, power tools, cordless vacuum cleaners or shavers<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Impact on major manufacturers<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The rollout of this single standard will force every company selling mobile devices within the European Union to comply. Industry giants such as Samsung, Huawei and LG are directly affected.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Only Apple has publicly voiced reservations about the initiative. An Apple spokesperson, quoted by the BBC, expressed a concern: <\/span>\u201cWe remain concerned that strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it\u201d<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    This view is challenged by analysts such as Ben Wood of CCS Insight, who told the BBC that \u201ca universal charger is the sensible choice and will be seen as a victory for common sense by consumers\u201d. Interestingly, despite Apple\u2019s attachment to Lightning, the manufacturer already uses USB\u2011C for some of its products, such as the iPad and the Mac.<\/span><\/p>\n