In a statement, the Council of the EU gives an account of this final approval, pointing out that “it will no longer be necessary to buy a different charger each time a new mobile phone or similar device is purchased”, given that “all can be recharged using the same charger”.

“Having a common charger will improve consumer convenience by harmonising charging interfaces and fast charging technology and will significantly reduce electronic waste”, stresses the framework in which the EU countries come together.

Data released by the Council of the EU reveals that, in 2020, EU consumers purchased approximately 420 million electronic devices, having on average three chargers to charge these electronic devices, of which they regularly use two.

Per year, the EU has registered 11 thousand tons of electronic waste per year.

To avoid this situation, the EU Council explains that the new rules, which come into force in 2024, will make a USB-C charging port mandatory for all electronic devices such as mobile phones, 'tablets' and 'e-readers', digital cameras and video game consoles, portable headphones and speakers, wireless mice and keyboards, and portable navigation systems.