Starting Saturday, the country will have standardized connections and charging cables based only on USB-C for smartphones, digital cameras and headphones. This requirement also applies to tablets, portable video game consoles, keyboards, e-readers, navigation devices, headsets, and portable speakers. From the beginning of 2026, the requirement for similar connections will be extended to laptops in accordance with the relevant EU Directive. In April, the Federal Council gave the green light to a corresponding amendment to the Radio Equipment Act, which the Bundestag passed in mid-March. The reform will be effective from December 28.
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This approach aims to simplify the search for a charger while also reducing cable clutter and lots of electronic waste. Standardization means that cell phones and other covered devices can be sold in the future without the new charging adapter. However, manufacturers must use pictographs to clearly indicate on the packaging whether a loading tool is included or not. This should also reveal other performance characteristics. The background is the idea that consumers already use existing USB-C charging cables for a full range of devices.
Along with the reform, the legislature also added the goal of enabling future harmonization in line with technological developments and, for example, taking into account “any non-wired charging systems” such as Qi. In theory, the specification provides USB-C and “USB Power Delivery” protocols for wired charging.
Environmental support requires comprehensive eco-design specifications
USB-C has become the de facto standard, especially in mobile phones. Only Apple swore off its own Lightning connector for a long time. In September 2023, the American company introduced new smartphones iPhone 15 with USB-C port for the first time. Shortly before Christmas, the American company also announced that it would remove older iPhones with Lightning ports from its range.
German Environmental Aid (DUH) welcomes the implementation of the requirement. But the New Testament is just a drop in the ocean, he said. The environmental and consumer protection organization demands that similar requirements are now required for other eco-design criteria. The EU should promote overall sustainability, ease of repair and recycling, and the use of recycled materials in electrical equipment.
DUH complains that many electrical appliances often fail after a short period of time, cannot be repaired or the cost of repair is very high. The EU should therefore urgently demand manufacturers to adopt environmentally friendly designs so that short-lived electrical appliances eventually disappear from the market. The EU Commission is currently gradually developing binding requirements for different product groups within the framework of the EcoDesign Regulation. But this is ineffective and slow because these rules only apply to certain electrical appliances.
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