According to the Ukrinform correspondent, this decision was supported by 602 deputies, 13 of them voted “against” and 8 abstained.

The adopted resolution stipulates that by the end of 2024 all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU must be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, this requirement will also apply to laptops.

According to the European Parliament’s press release, the new legislation is part of a wider European effort to reduce the amount of e-waste and give consumers the opportunity to make more environmentally friendly choices.

Especially as new rules come into effect, consumers will be able to use the same charger for a range of small and medium portable electronic equipment.

Regardless of device brand, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, portable speakers, portable game consoles, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation devices, headsets and the lowest power rated wired laptops or 100 Equivalent to W, must be equipped with a USB Type-C port. The charging speed will be the same for all fast chargers.

Consumers will have the option to purchase new equipment with or without charging.

The new rules will allow consumers to reuse their chargers more often and save up to 250 million euros per year by avoiding the purchase of unnecessary chargers. The number of discarded or obsolete chargers in the EU is around 11,000 tonnes of e-waste per year.

The next step should be the official approval of the decision adopted by the European Council and its publication in the EU Official Journal.

Adopted regulations come into effect 20 days after their publication. Member states will then have 12 months to transpose the rules into national law and another 12 months to implement them. According to the press release, the new rules will not apply to products released before the enforcement date.

As you know, the European Parliament has repeatedly called for the introduction of a universal charger over the past decade. The relevant legislative proposal was submitted by the European Commission on September 23, 2021.