EU common charger rules for laptops from today

EU rules on common chargers apply to laptops from today.

It means that all new laptops sold in the European Union must now support USB-C charging.

In December 2024, the rules came into force for mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, videogame consoles, and portable speakers.

Laptop manufacturers were given a longer lead in time to allow for redesign and transition to the common charging system.

The EU Common Charger Directive brought to an end the need for multiple, different chargers for devices.

The European Parliament approved the new rules in 2022 with the European Commission estimating at the time that the move would save about €250 million for consumers.

The directive also ensures that charging speeds are the same when using compatible chargers.

The rules are designed to reduce the environmental footprint associated with the production and disposal of chargers.

The EU said that discarded and unused chargers accounted for about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste annually.

In 2023, Apple replaced its 'lightning' charger ports with a universal USB-C charger on its newest iPhone models in anticipation of the EU's Common Charger Directive coming into force.