A ban on gadgets without USB Type-C has come into force in the EU, but not without exceptions

On December 28, Directive 2022/2380, approved in the EU in October 2022, comes into force in the EU. According to the document, all radio-enabled gadgets must be powered via USB-C, support fast charging and be accompanied by new designations. The basic configuration of devices is also limited to power supplies. The initiative is aimed at reducing the volume of electronic waste, saving money when purchasing new products, and also clarifying the situation with fast charging.

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It is still difficult to say how and what the efforts made will result in, especially taking into account the different approaches to implementing the directive in the countries that are members of the European Union, but in the end it should become easier for users to navigate chargers, of which everyone has more and more of them these days. more.

It is important to note that sales of non-powered USB-C devices will continue as long as the retailer has inventory remaining. This is not prohibited, but it will no longer be possible to replenish stocks of such. Apple, on the contrary, has already begun to withdraw from sale smartphones that use its own Lightning port. This has been noticed in Switzerland and, perhaps, tomorrow will begin to happen in other countries of the union.

It should also be clarified that the EC directive requires USB-C power for all gadgets that can receive and transmit radio signals. Power supply and charging must be carried out via cable and require no more than 100 W. This is a whole range of devices from headphones to surveillance cameras. At the same time, drones are not subject to this order, as are laptops, which can be supplied with their own connectors for power supplies until April 28, 2026. This directive also does not prohibit or regulate wireless charging.

There are no mandatory requirements for the charging units themselves (power supplies) to have a USB-C port. This should only be included in the device. This, by the way, does not prohibit installing unique power/charging ports in gadgets if the manufacturer so desires. It’s just that USB-C should be there in any case and, if necessary, can be used to power the gadget.

At the same time, it is now prohibited to force citizens to purchase a power supply in the same box with the device (as standard). This also implies the unification of fast charging. In general, anything that provides power transfer of more than 15 W (more than 5 V and 3 A) will be considered fast charging. Above this threshold, all devices sold in the EU starting tomorrow must support USB Power Delivery (USB PD). This should be indicated on the packaging of the gadget, and there should also be indications of the minimum possible and maximum power power that the device can accept and still charge.

The packaging must have pictograms informing about the presence or absence of a separate power supply in the package with the gadget, support for USB PD and the range of permissible power supplies.