EU agrees on USB Type-C as bloc charger standard

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The European Parliament committee announced on Wednesday that it had endorsed a proposal on designating USB Type-C as a common charger for portable electronic devices in the 27-nation bloc, aiming to mitigate pollution ravaging the planet.

"MEPs support a common charger for portable electronic devices, reducing e-waste and making the use of different mobile phones, tablets, and digital cameras more convenient," the statement read.

On Wednesday, the statement added, the EU Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee adopted its position on the revised Radio Equipment Directive with 43 votes in favor (2 against).

According to the committee, the new bill falls within Brussels' "greater effort" to "address product sustainability, in particular of electronics on the EU market, and to reduce electronic waste."

The common charger standard will apply to all types of electronic devices charged by a wired cable, including mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, and alike, which would force manufacturers in the EU to adhere to one type and mitigate waste, allowing users to use one cable for all their devices.

All devices will have to be fitted with a USB Type-C port, irrespective of manufacturer, except for devices too small to have such a port, namely smartwatches. 

The European Parliament is likely to endorse the new regulation at the plenary session in May following the committee's approval. After it passes, Brussels would initiate talks with the heads of the EU member states to finalize the legislation.