Brussels,

The Future European Defence

Since 2009, voluntary collaboration with industry has already cut the number of mobile chargers from 30 down to 3. Building on the Commission’s September 2021 legislative proposal and the subsequent agreement among all 27 EU member states, Europeans are now able to power their devices using just one charger.
Are you tired of juggling different chargers for each of your devices—hunting through drawers, untangling cables, and trying to remember which adapter works with what? The European Union (EU) has stepped in with a game-changing solution: all new smartphones and many other portable devices sold in the EU must now feature a USB-C charging port. This single-port approach cuts clutter, saves money, and helps the environment. Let’s dive into the details and why it matters for you.
By Charles STRASS - 3 MINUTES READ

​Brussels, January 8, 2025

Imagine plugging your smartphone, earbuds, e-reader, or portable speaker into the same USB-C cable. It’s that simple. The EU’s new rules harmonize charging across brands, making life easier—especially when you’re on the go.

Perhaps you cannot image, but chargers, might be small, have a huge environmental impact. Discarded and unused adapters account for about 11,000 tonns of e-waste in the EU each year. With fewer chargers needed, we can make a big dent in that waste. Plus, reusing a single cable and adapter extends the life of the ones you already have, which is a win for the planet.


Ever bought a new phone or earbuds just to end up with "yet another charger?".

Those extra chargers quickly add up—both on your shelf and on your bill. By allowing consumers to buy devices without an included charger, the EU’s policy helps shoppers save around €250 million a year collectively. That’s more money in your pocket and fewer unopened adapters collecting dust.

Another perk of these new regulations is harmonized fast charging technology. No more guessing if one charger will boost your phone to 50% in 30 minutes or 5 hours. If it’s USB-C, it’ll have to meet the standard fast-charging requirements, giving you consistently speedy power-ups regardless of the brand.

Important Dates to Know

  • From 28 December 2024:
    Mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, videogame consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, and earbuds must all support USB-C.
  • From 28 April 2026:
    - Laptops must also comply with the common charger rules.

These timelines give manufacturers enough time to redesign their products and ensure compliance. For consumers, it means the next time you’re in the market for a new device, you can look forward to a simpler charging experience.

Wireless Charging

While the current directive focuses on wired USB-C charging, wireless charging is becoming more popular. The EU may one day standardize wireless protocols, too, making it even easier to power your devices cable-free. For now, though, USB-C is the one-port wonder that’s set to transform our gadget landscape.

Why This Matters
  1. Less Hassle: One charger for all your devices—no more cable chaos.
  2. Eco-Friendly: Minimizing waste is crucial in a world where climate concerns are ever-present.
  3. Budget-Friendly: Skip the extra chargers and put that money to better use.

Ready to streamline your tech life?

Look for the USB-C symbol on new devices starting in 2024 (and 2026 for laptops). You’ll soon forget the days of rummaging for the right cable—saving time, money, and the planet along the way.

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​Conclusions

The EU, often criticized for its bureaucracy, nonetheless continues to collect many tangible achievements that benefit citizens of every social class. These are often precise, targeted measures—like the decision to introduce a single USB-C charging cable—that may not always command major media attention but make a real difference in people’s daily lives.

​Alongside the latest USB-C initiative (saving an estimated 250 million euros annually), we need only recall the elimination of roaming charges across Europe, the seamless crossing of internal borders, the establishment of EU-wide digital health records, and free, instant SEPA bank transfers. While the EU may not always shape the strategic debates that dominate the headlines, it steadily improves the quality of life for everyone who calls Europe home.

The choice to move to a single charging standard for all our devices is just the latest in a series of welcome developments—one we can look forward to enjoying in 2025.

The EU's Ongoing Defence Initiatives

The EU is developing several plans to build up a common European defence. These plans want to demonstrate the EU's commitment to building a unified defence policy, increasing cooperation among member states, and enhancing the Union’s ability to address security challenges in a new coordinated and effective manner.

Here are the key initiatives adopted so far (February 2025), excluding any potential new and imminent decisions currently under discussion among Member States:

1. Strategic Compass
  • Adopted in March 2022, the Strategic Compass is an ambitious action plan aimed at enhancing the EU’s security and defense policy by 2030.
  • The document seeks to improve the EU’s ability to act independently, protect its interests, and contribute to international security.

2. European Defence Agency (EDA)
The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established in 2004 to support EU Member States in developing defense capabilities, fostering military cooperation, and enhancing the European defense industry. The agency plays a crucial role in harmonizing investments, promoting research and innovation, and improving operational readiness within the EU.
Key Initiatives by the EDA
  1. Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)
    • Facilitates deeper military collaboration among 26 EU Member States.
    • Supports joint projects such as military mobility, next-generation tanks, and maritime surveillance.
  2. European Defence Fund (EDF)
    • Provides financial support for collaborative defense research and technology development.
    • The EU has allocated nearly €8 billion (2021-2027) for military innovation and capability enhancement.
  3. Military Mobility Programme
    • Aims to streamline the movement of troops and military assets across the EU.
    • Enhances logistics infrastructure to support rapid deployment in crisis situations.
  4. Cooperative Defence Procurement
    • Encourages joint defense acquisitions to reduce costs and avoid duplication.
    • Focuses on standardizing military equipment across EU forces.
  5. Defence Innovation Hub
    • Supports cutting-edge military technologies such as AI, cyber defense, and autonomous systems.
    • Encourages cooperation between startups, industry, and research institutions.


6. Defence Spending and Cooperation Goals
  • The EU has outlined non-binding objectives to enhance defense cooperation and efficiency:
    • By 2030, intra-European arms trade should account for 35% of the EU defense market.
    • 50% of procurement should be done at the EU level.
    • 40% of defense equipment should be acquired through joint procurement programs.
  • These measures aim to promote a "Buy European" approach and strengthen the EU defence industry.

The EU legislation

Two amendments of the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU introduce the ‘common charging’ solution:
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