The EU has introduced a 'game changer' of a new law which will affect all Irish phone users.
From 2024, all chargers for smartphones, tablets and cameras will be USB-C - putting an end to the hours that we lose searching for the right cables and inputs every week.
The European Commission estimates the changes will save consumers up to €250 million per year on unnecessary charger purchases.
In the final stages of negotiations, the legislation was extended to include devices such as e-readers, laptops, keyboards, handheld game consoles and earbuds
The legislation is set to come into effect in the Autumn of 2024.
Laptops will be brought under the same law two years after that, it is expected.
Commenting after the vote on Tuesday morning, Grace O’Sullivan, Green MEP for Ireland South, said: "This is legislation we have been demanding for years now, so it is great to see it get over the line.
"Over the years people were collecting all sorts of chargers and devices. In a time where we should be using our planet’s resources more carefully, it was utter madness to create this extra electronic waste.
"This is a really practical example of EU legislation being felt and seen by citizens on the ground. This is the type of work I like to see the EU doing, bringing the power back to citizens, while also reducing waste and pollution."
Her fellow Green Party MEP Ciarán Cuffe added: "The one-size-fits all charger is a game-changer that will soon be visible in the lives of everyone in Europe. It means a lot less hassle for consumers, but also significant cuts to e-waste, the fastest growing waste stream in the EU.
"The law is well-designed to keep up with technological advances too, including by harmonising charging speeds for fast charging devices, meaning any compatible charger will be able to charge a device at that same speed. We have been pushing for this deal for the best part of a decade, and I think it will mark a milestone on our journey to a circular economy."
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