Aljosa Zapotnik, 30, has “already sold” numerous chargers, and is delighted to be able to use this universal model on her new iPhone. But the measure does not only concern smartphones. Tablets, e-readers, cameras, game consoles, headphones and headsets, but also mice or keyboards will have to comply with this new standard. From spring 2026, it will also apply to laptops.
Savings
The text, which arises from a European directive adopted in 2022, requires small electronic devices sold to be equipped with a USB-C type charging port, already very widespread. The decree, which comes into force in France on Saturday, coincides with the deadline for application set in the EU. The decision voted by the European Parliament aims to limit the production of electronic waste. According to European institutions, discarded or unused chargers represent around 11,000 tonnes of waste per year in the European Union (EU). And the new regulations should make it possible to reduce their annual quantity by almost 1,000 tonnes.
But the decision should also have a direct impact on the wallet, praises the European Commission. Because in addition to a single charger, the measure also imposes standardization of fast charging on devices, and requires new devices to be offered for sale with or without a charger. According to the Commission, this should result in savings of 250 million euros per year. A relatively low amount on the scale of the European Union: a little more than 50 euro cents per inhabitant.
Control operations
The entry into force of the measure on Saturday should not, however, be accompanied by a radical change. Discussed for several years, the standard has already been widely adopted by electronic device manufacturers. Apple, which equipped its iPhones with “lightning” chargers developed by the brand, for a time showed its opposition to the adoption of this new rule, accusing it in particular of “harming innovation”. But the Californian company finally abandoned its standoff with the European Union by marketing a new model – the iPhone 15 – equipped with a USB-C port from 2023.
Now all of its products, laptops, tablets and headphones are also compatible with the universal charger. Many competing brands, such as Samsung, Xiaomi and Google have already adopted this type of charging port. An adoption that the National Frequency Agency (ANFR) will be responsible for monitoring in France. Verifications will take place directly at points of sale, and not at manufacturers. “We will also be able to go to warehouses for everything related to mail order sales,” explains Gilles Brégant, general director of ANFR.
Do not throw old chargers in the trash
Sellers will, however, have an authorized period of time for devices entering European territory before Saturday, time to sell their stocks to the public. This rule relating to the date of entry into European territory will also apply to reconditioned devices.
