The UK will adopt a standard connector for charging all gadgets – most likely it will be USB-C

The UK authorities have launched consultations on the need for a common standard for charging electrical devices in the country. The question is also being considered whether this standard should be the same as the USB-C connector adopted in the EU. The UK Department of Business and Trade’s Product Safety and Standards Authority has called on manufacturers, importers, distributors and trade associations to share their views on the matter.

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According to The Register, the EU has previously designated USB-C as its standard for charging personal devices in all 27 member states, as has India, the world’s second-largest smartphone market. The adoption of USB-C as a charging standard is also being discussed in the US. Even Apple has reluctantly adopted USB-C as a standard for all of its devices.

According to The Register, the likelihood that device manufacturers will be willing to release special versions of their products to meet the needs of British consumers is highly doubtful if the country’s government still refuses to adopt USB-C as a standard.

In its statement, the UK agency also points to recent developments in wired charging technology and evolving international standards that provide opportunities to reduce e-waste and benefit consumers. It is noted that a standardized charger for smartphones and similar gadgets will reduce the number of chargers.

«We believe that introducing standardized charger requirements for certain portable electrical/electronic devices across the UK would potentially help businesses and benefit consumers and the environment. We are seeking views from manufacturers, importers, distributors and trade associations on whether this would be useful and, if so, whether the standard should be based on USB-C, as has been the case in the EU,” the Product Safety Authority said in a statement. UK standards.

A key goal of the initiative is to examine the potential impact of new charger measures. The agency is seeking feedback on the potential issues and practicalities of having a shared USB-C charger. In the same statement, the regulator notes that having USB-C as a common charging port should mean that one charger will work for multiple devices. It could also allow manufacturers to “decouple” the sale of chargers from their core products. In other words, consumers will have the opportunity to buy new devices without charging if, for example, they already have one.

The Product Safety and Standards Authority admitted that “manufacturers are likely to adopt a similar approach to the UK-wide Single Charger EU Directive on a voluntary basis to avoid supply chain complexity” and concluded: “As a result, the USB-C charging port will likely become the industry standard.” And it added: “The Government believes it could potentially help businesses deliver consumer and environmental benefits if we adopt an equivalent solution for chargers across the UK. But first we will gather all the necessary facts to better understand the expected consequences of this decision.”

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