The European Commission announced on Saturday that all new electronic devices sold in the European Union (E.U.) must support USB-C charging. While this may seem convenient for today's consumers, it will stifle innovation in the long run and discourage technology companies from developing superior forms of charging technology.
In October 2022, the E.U. approved the Common Charger Directive, mandating that all cell phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, video game consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, and earbuds sold in the E.U. be chargeable via USB-C by December 28, 2024. The rule will extend to laptops in April 2026, covering nearly every major consumer electronic device.
