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Europe EU law mandating universal chargers for devices comes into force Europe Electronics manufactures must from Saturday fit all devices sold in the EU with USB-C charger ports in a bid by the 27-nation bloc to reduce waste and cut costs for consumers, who will no longer have to purchase separate chargers for each device they own. Issued on: 28/12/2024 - 14:56 2 min By: NEWS WIRES The USB-C port on an Apple iPhone on display in a store in Los Angeles, California, on September 22, 2023. The USB-C port on an Apple iPhone on display in a store in Los Angeles, California, on September 22, 2023. (c) Patrick T. Fallon, AFP EU rules requiring all new smartphones, tablets and cameras to use the same charger came into force on Saturday, in a change Brussels said will cut costs and waste. Manufacturers are now obliged to fit devices sold in the 27-nation bloc with a USB-C, the port chosen by the European Union as the common standard for charging electronic tools. "Starting today, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards and many other electronics sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port," the EU Parliament wrote on social media X. To display this content from X (Twitter), you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement. Accept Manage my choices The EU has said the single charger rule will simplify the life of Europeans and slash costs for consumers. By allowing consumers to purchase a new device without a new charger, it will also reduce the mountain of obsolete chargers, the bloc has argued. The law was first approved in 2022 following a tussle with US tech giant Apple. It allowed companies until December 28 this year to adapt. Makers of laptops will have extra time, from early 2026, to also follow suit. Most devices already use these cables, but Apple was more than a little reluctant. The firm said in 2021 that such regulation "stifles innovation", but by September last year it had begun shipping phones with the new port. Makers of electronic consumer items in Europe had agreed on a single charging norm from dozens on the market a decade ago under a voluntary agreement with the European Commission. But Apple, the world's biggest seller of smartphones, refused to abide by it and ditch its Lightning ports. Other manufacturers kept their alternative cables going, meaning there were about half a dozen types knocking around, creating a jumble of cables for consumers. USB-C ports can charge at up to 100 Watts, transfer data up to 40 gigabits per second, and can serve to hook up to external displays. At the time of its approval, the commission said the law was expected to save at least 200 million euros ($208 million) per year and cut more than a thousand tonnes of EU electronic waste every year. "It's time for THE charger," the European Commission wrote on X on Saturday. "It means better-charging technology, reduced e-waste, and less fuss to find the chargers you need." (AFP) Read next A man walks past Google's offices in London's Kings Cross area on August 10, 2024. EU court rules Google, Apple must pay billions of euros in antitrust, tax cases Europe A USB Type-C cable. EU mandates universal charger for tablets, mobile phones in blow to Apple Europe Today's top stories * S. Korean prosecutors say Yoon authorised soldiers to shoot during botched martial law bid Asia / Pacific * Putin apologises to Azerbaijani president for 'tragic' plane crash Europe * Israel intercepts missile fired from Yemen after fresh strikes hit Sanaa, IDF says Middle East * N. 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