EP Committee Agrees on New Charger Rules

A European Parliament committee backed a proposal that would force all smartphone makers to offer USB-C charging. If the proposal becomes the law, it would bring a blow to Apple as the only major global manufacturer to use an alternative.

The European Parliament Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee voted in favor of the floated position on common charger legislation, which will also apply to other small and medium-sized electronic devices. This includes tablets, digital cameras, headphones, chargeable portable speakers, and handheld gaming devices. It would not apply to smartwatches, health trackers, and other electronics deemed too small to sport a USB-C port.

The proposal was drafted by the European Commission in 2021 and will now go to the whole parliament for approval before final legislation is shaped. Final rules must then go through all three European Union legislative institutions including the European Council before becoming law. Alongside pushing a common charger, the committee noted in a statement it wanted to see clear information and labeling on new devices about charging options and a strategy to be created toward standards for wireless charging.