Official EU environmental reports or announcements

EU's USB-C Mandate Begins; Aims to Reduce E-Waste, Save Consumers €250 Million

Dec 28, 2024, 10:02 AM

On December 28, 2024, the European Union's 'USB-C charging mandate' came into effect, requiring USB-C ports as the common charging standard for all new electronic devices sold in the 27 EU member states. The legislation applies to smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, keyboards, and other small to medium-sized devices, with laptops required to comply by 2026. The directive aims to reduce electronic waste by 11,000 tonnes annually and save consumers €250 million per year by eliminating the need for multiple chargers. In response to the regulation, Apple has withdrawn its iPhone 14 and iPhone SE models from online stores in several EU countries as they lack USB-C ports.