US EditionEU common charger rules come into force for laptops
The latest phase of the EU’s common charger rules is expected to cut e-waste and save consumers about €250 million, officials said.
- On Tuesday, all new laptops sold in the European Union must feature a USB-C charging port, as the latest phase of anti-waste legislation comes into force.
- The European Parliament approved these rules in 2022 to reduce electronic waste by standardising charging points across multiple devices used throughout the European Union.
- Exceptions apply: the European Commission stated the rule covers only computers "with a power rating of 100 watts or less," and second-hand laptops remain unaffected.
- Preventing up to 11,000 tons of electronic waste annually, the French Ministry of Economics and Finance stated the measure will save individuals €250 million by eliminating unnecessary chargers.
- From February 18, 2027, manufacturers must integrate removable batteries into smartphones, with these batteries retaining at least 80 percent capacity after 800 charge cycles.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The Local - Ch
EU anti-waste law: New laptops sold in Europe must now use USB-C chargers
After standardising chargers for mobile phones, from Tuesday new computers sold in EU countries must also use the USB-C charging point, as the latest phase of EU anti-waste legislation comes into force.
All new laptops in the EU must have a standardized USB-C charging port from now on.
With the USB-C charging obligation, the EU wants to put an end to the cable salad. This has been valid for more than a year for smartphones and co. - as of today also for laptops. However, there are still a few pitfalls. By Sven Kästner.
This Tuesday 28 April the deadline for EU Member States to adopt the single charger on laptops to comply with a European directive, as they already did on mobile phones in December 2024. That is to say, from this moment on, laptops placed on the market in the EU will have to have the charging port type C. Context. The single charger for mobile devices and tablets, among other devices, has already entered into force in December 2024.
After smartphones, tablets and headphones, it is the turn of laptops to adopt the universal charger. All models sold since 26 April 2026 must incorporate a USB C port allowing the charging of the device. This European obligation aims to reduce electronic waste and to harmonise the charging of the various consumer equipment.
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