Separate cable for each device? This will be over soon – 5 minutes

You're out of town and your battery is almost dead. You order a cable, but the plug doesn't fit your cell phone. Probably everyone knows this problem. But those annoying tangled cables will soon be gone.

from Sabrina Najjar

2 minutes reading time(259 words)

A cable for a cell phone, a cable for a tablet, a cable for headphones, and oh yeah, the camera also has its own cable. Who doesn't have tangled cables at home? But that will end soon!

One cable for all devices

Starting at the end of the year, all smartphones, digital cameras, headphones, tablets and video game consoles must have standardized charging ports. A similar amendment to the law was unanimously approved in the National Council today, Wednesday, May 15. These requirements will also apply to notebooks from the end of April 2026.

Apple once again stood in the way

This implements EU directives that have been developed at EU level for 15 years. In 2009, an agreement on uniform standards was reached for the first time with most manufacturers and the European Union Commission. However, these were not mandatory; Apple, which is now the world's second-largest smartphone manufacturer, did not participate. The agreement expired in 2014. With EU directives due in October 2022, Apple must also adhere to standard plugs. Specifically, as of December 28, most devices affected by the regulation must have a USB-C port.

What does the novel bring?

So why is this novel good? On the one hand, the EU Commission expects consumers to use their cables longer and buy fewer of them. So far they have spent a total of about 250 million euros a year on chargers that are not actually needed. On the other hand, e-waste in the European Union is expected to decrease by nearly 1,000 tons per year, and thousands of tons of carbon dioxide will be saved. (APA, May 15, 2024)