Last Wednesday, the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection voted on plans for a universal charging standard for small and medium-sized electronic devices in the form of USB-C. 43 out of 45 members voted in favour. The plans now only need to be approved by the rest of the Parliament.
The new rules should prevent you from needing a separate adapter for each new device to reduce the amount of electronic waste. Cell phones, tablets, cameras, and headphones must all have a USB-C port. An exception is devices that are too small for USB-C, such as smartwatches. Also, manufacturers should clearly state how their products can be charged and whether an adapter is included.
Most smartphone manufacturers have switched to USB-C in recent years (only Apple is still stubborn), but devices like cameras and navigation systems can often be found with a micro USB connection.
The European Parliament will meet next month to discuss the plans. Once approved, lawmakers engage in discussions with various European governments about exactly what the legislation will look like.
Source: European Parliament
Source: Hardware Info
