The universal USB-C charger is now mandatory in the European Union

As of this Saturday, manufacturers are required to equip devices sold in the European Union with a USB Type-C charging port.

New European Union (EU) rules requiring all electronic devices to use the same type of charger came into force on Saturday, a move Brussels says could cut costs and waste.

From now on, manufacturers are required to equip devices sold in the EU with a USB-C charging port, chosen as the standard in the 27-country bloc.

"From today, all new mobile phones, tablets, cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards and many other new electronic devices sold in the EU must be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port," the European Parliament wrote in X.

The single charger law will make life easier for Europeans and reduce costs for consumers as they will be able to buy electronic devices without buying a new charger, according to the EU. The initiative will also help reduce the number of obsolete chargers.

The law was first passed in 2022, after a tug-of-war with tech giant Apple, and companies have had until December 28 to adapt to the regulations.

Laptop manufacturers will also have an additional period, starting in early 2026, to follow suit.

Most electronic devices already use this type of charger, but Apple has been reluctant, arguing that such regulations "stifle innovation."

But in September 2023, the American company began manufacturing phones with the new charging port.

Ten years ago, European electronics makers agreed on a single charger standard in a voluntary agreement with the European Commission. But Apple, the world's largest smartphone seller, refused to abandon its Lightning ports.

When it was passed, the European Commission said the new law could lead to savings of at least €200 million ($208 million) each year.