One charger to rule them all: USB-C is the official standard for all new phones, tablets and cameras in the EU

[Redaktion]

At the end of last week, the European Commission announced that the Common Charger Directive, which was approved in October 2022, is finally going live. Now, all devices sold in the EU—including smartphones, tablets, cameras, keyboards/mice—must support USB-C charging. However, the rules will target laptops only starting in late April, 2026.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/One-charger-to-rule-them-all-USB-C-is-the-official-standard-for-all-new-phones-tablets-and-cameras-in-the-EU.938713.0.html

[davidm]

Congratulations, sincerely. As a North American, I'm inspired by some of the EU initiatives to support tech for people, not corporations, even if they're not perfect.

[Alexander_]

I am sure that the list of devices needs to be expanded.
Synthesizers, trimmers and other portable devices still allow for a variety of different cables. That is, the user is forced to keep at home both a mirco-USB for a toothbrush and a separate DC for a razor. This is, at least, not convenient. And when an outdated wire fails, then you also have to look for a replacement. So at a time when there are many high-quality modern USB-C cables, you are spending money on an outdated cable that is rarely used.

If such a law is implemented in the USA, it will have a positive impact on the ecology of our planet.

[arpeas]

In my experience USB-C device-side connector reliability has been dreadful on everything *but* smartphones and maybe a couple of better-quality laptops. It should not ever have been thought of to use it as a means of power delivery over 10W. USB was designed for data transfer and it should've stayed that way. And don't get me started on the gazillions upon gazillions proprietary "fast charging" standards that work for only one model of device manufactured by the same company. As for razors, just use a 5V DC barrel jack. Laughably easy to find a replacement for if it does fail (it won't unless you're trying to make it).

[heffeque]

In my experience USB-C device-side connector reliability has been dreadful on everything *but* smartphones and maybe a couple of better-quality laptops. It should not ever have been thought of to use it as a means of power delivery over 10W. USB was designed for data transfer and it should've stayed that way. And don't get me started on the gazillions upon gazillions proprietary "fast charging" standards that work for only one model of device manufactured by the same company. As for razors, just use a 5V DC barrel jack. Laughably easy to find a replacement for if it does fail (it won't unless you're trying to make it).

I don't know what you are doing with your devices, but zero issues with USB-C here, even with high-powered ones.
As for cables, I have a couple of 240W USB-C PD cables that don't seem like they'll break anytime soon.