The government has prepared a bill to apply new European legislation on the universal USB Type-C charger.

Following the European Parliament's approval in autumn 2022, Luxembourg will move towards introducing a universal charging standard for digital devices. On Friday, the government council validated a bill on the new European directive. By 28 December 2024, smartphones, tablets, controllers, portable consoles, connected speakers and other small devices sold in the EU must all use the same charger with a USB Type-C port.

The USB-C format is already integrated into most new smartphones, but the directive will force Apple to abandon its "lightning" chargers.

The directive will also apply to laptops, but these will have an extended deadline of 28 April 2026.

"This transition period should allow manufacturers to adapt their production chain," said Margrethe Vestager, Vice-President of the European Commission.

In addition, consumers will now have the choice of buying a new electronic device with or without a charger. Europe will also introduce the "harmonisation of charging interfaces and communication protocols" for wireless charging.