On Tuesday, the European Parliament voted for a law to standardize the port for charging electronic items. He chose USB Type-C as the standard port. But why did you choose USB-C?
What does the rule say?
On Tuesday, the European Parliament approved a rule standardizing a port for charging electronic items. He chose USB Type-C – better known as USB-C – as the standard port.
So by the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU must have a USB-C port. But the deadline for the laptop was set for 2026.
The European Parliament said: “Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video game consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, headphones and laptops that are rechargeable with a cable cable, work with a power of up to 100 watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.”
These rules have been in preparation since 2014. Nevertheless, their adoption has only picked up pace in recent years. Unlike previous iterations, USB-C has a small oval port with no fixed up or down orientation. Its symmetrical connector makes it easy to connect.
Apple is among the most affected by the new standards. It has been given a two-year window in which to move its devices to USB-C. Every year in September, it launches new iPhone models.
How will it help the environment?
The European Parliament said discarded and unused chargers represent about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste in the EU every year. Imagine the global number and how this new rule, if implemented worldwide, will help reduce e-waste.
What exactly is USB-C?
Unlike previous iterations, USB-C has a small oval port with no fixed up or down orientation. Its symmetrical connector makes it easy to plug in. In addition, standard connectors capable of transmitting data and power supply with a single cable are also included. In addition, it supports fast charging (100W) required by large electronic devices such as laptops and offers super fast data throughput. Not only data and power, USB-C also supports sending simultaneous video signals – up to 8K resolution.
USB-C limitations
USB-C is good, but its usefulness depends on the implementation. You might already have a USB-C port on your device, but you still can’t use all the features and functions like charging your host device and video output. This is because different manufacturers use USB-C for different tools. In addition, there are various protocols and standards related to USB-C.
When can India have a single charger?
Even India is considering the idea of a single charger for all electronic devices. The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs has written to industry players to come up with a plan to have one cable to charge all your devices.