Radio Equipment Directive (2022)

European Parliament adopted new rules to make USB type-C the common charging standard for small electronic devices by the end of 2024

The Directive (EU) 2022/2380 is a directive of the European Parliament and the European Council which was formally adopted on 23 November 2022 amending Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53.^[1] The directive mandates the use of USB-C as a universal charger using a standard USB-C to USB-C cable for smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld video game consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, and earbuds that use wired charging by the end of 2024, and laptops by 2026.^[2]^[3] Furthermore, if such equipment is capable of being recharged by wired charging at voltages higher than 5 volts, currents higher than 3 amperes, or powers higher than 15 watts, the equipment must support the full functionality of USB Power Delivery.

It is considered a successor to the EU's common external power supply (2009–2014), a voluntary specification which used micro-USB as a standard connector.

The legislation was criticised by Apple, who argued in 2019 that a single standard would "freeze innovation rather than encourage it." Apple also noted that if a universal standard was not an existing standard, adoption of a new standard would lead to increased e-waste.^[4] Apple use its proprietary Lightning connector for many devices, but since 2023 it use USB-C.

References[edit]

^ "Directive (EU) 2022/2380 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 amending Directive 2014/53/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment (Text with EEA relevance)". 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
^ Gerken, Tom (12 December 2022). "December 2024 set as date for universal phone charger in EU". BBC News. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
^ Satariano, Adam (7 June 2022). "Europe wants to help clear out your drawer full of chargers". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
^ Abdul, Geneva (17 January 2020). "A Common Charger for All Phones? The E.U. Is on the Case". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 March 2023.

External links[edit]

Directive 2022/2380 text

[Directive_2022/2380-1] "Directive (EU) 2022/2380 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 amending Directive 2014/53/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment (Text with EEA relevance)". 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2023.

[BBC_USB-C-2] Gerken, Tom (12 December 2022). "December 2024 set as date for universal phone charger in EU". BBC News. Retrieved 4 March 2023.

[NYT_Satariano-3] Satariano, Adam (7 June 2022). "Europe wants to help clear out your drawer full of chargers". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 March 2023.

[NYT_January_2020-4] Abdul, Geneva (17 January 2020). "A Common Charger for All Phones? The E.U. Is on the Case". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 March 2023.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

v t e DC power delivery
USB based	Common external power supply (for mobile phones) USB Power Delivery PoweredUSB
Not USB based	AC adapter Computer power supply (ATX) Universal Power Adapter for Mobile Devices (IEEE P1823) DC Power supply for notebook computer (IEC 62700)

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References[edit]

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