In an effort to tackle e-waste, all mobile phones, tablets, and cameras sold in the EU must use a standardized charging port by the end of 2024. Then, in the spring of 2026, this legislation will extend to laptops.
The new law was adopted after it received 602 votes in favor, 13 against, and eight abstentions. In addition to this launch, the mandate will allow customers to choose whether or not their new device includes a charger.
When buying a new device, the customer will get to choose whether or not they want a charger to be included since they will have the same charger across almost all of their digital devices; they will need a fraction of the chargers that usually have to be sourced.
The devices, regardless of their manufacturer, that will need the EU standard charging port include all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, e-readers, keyboards, mice, headphones and headsets, portable navigation systems, handheld video game consoles, and portable speakers, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 watts.
