UK Considers Adopting USB-C as Common Charging Standard

The UK government has launched a consultation to explore the possibility of mandating USB-C as the standard charging port for electronic devices, potentially aligning with similar regulations recently adopted by the European Union.

iPhone 15 USB C Port Event Still
The Office for Product Safety and Standards, part of the Department for Business and Trade, is seeking input from manufacturers, importers, distributors, and trade associations on the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a common charging standard across the UK.

This move comes after the EU passed legislation in 2022 requiring most portable electronic devices to use USB-C for charging by December 2024. The EU's decision aimed to reduce electronic waste and improve charger interoperability.

The UK government, which previously stated it was not considering similar rules, is now exploring whether adopting USB-C as a standard would benefit businesses, consumers, and the environment. The consultation will run for eight weeks, ending on December 4, 2024.

Key points under consideration include:

  • Standardizing USB-C as the common charging port
  • Implementing harmonized fast-charging technology
  • Allowing consumers to purchase devices without chargers
  • Introducing labeling requirements for charging information

The government acknowledges that many manufacturers of smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, and laptops have already adopted USB-C for the UK market voluntarily to avoid supply chain complexities. For example, Apple, which long resisted changing its proprietary Lightning port, adopted USB-C for new iPhones last year, while the last few Lightning products are likely to make the transition next year. However, the government says it seeks to understand the implications of formally implementing such requirements.

Notably, the new iPad mini, announced on Tuesday, will not include a charger in the box for several European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. The change is likely in response to EU regulations regarding electronic waste, but even some European countries that are not part of the EU are impacted.

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Top Rated Comments

doobydoooby Avatar
12 weeks ago
Why would they bother? The EU directive is already going to force manufacturers to act, so its kinda superfluous for the UK to speak up now. Seems like pointless bureaucracy
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Doodah7 Avatar
12 weeks ago
Typical post-Brexit idiocy from the UK. I see it in work all the time, whenever the EU puts in place a new Regulation, the UK come trundling along afterwards and put the same laws in place to make sure they are not out of step with the rest of Europe. So much for Brexit!!! It's cost them billions of pounds for nothing!! I say all this as an ardent pro-EU European.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
krakman Avatar
12 weeks ago
So previously we had several different cables/connectors which performed different tasks such as charging, data transfer and video signal.

The proposed solution is to have a single connector but with different cable performing several different tasks such as charging, data transfer and video signal.


USB-C cable can be any of the following...

[LIST=1]
* Power Delivery but no data
* USB 2.0
* USB 3.1 Gen 1
* USB 3.1 Gen 2
* USB 4
* Thunderbolt 3
* Thunderbolt 4


I have drawer full of USB-C Cables that work with some devices but not others, even though the packaging claims the cable is up to spec.

If the Gov really wanted to cut down on e-waste then they should impose some kind of quality control on the Cheap Chinese Crap that is flooding the market, but that is too simple!
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
polyphenol Avatar
12 weeks ago

Allowing consumers to purchase devices without chargers

So again, allowing companies to charge users more when buying products to pay seperately for chargers. The same idiotic version the EU also has.
But I don't want any more manufacturer-supplied charges!

If we continue to get one charger for each device, we also need one socket for each charger (in concurrent use). Whereas I have some chargers with multiple USB-C sockets and they will occupy just one mains outlet for several devices.

I would, though, appreciate the price being lower as the manufacturer does not have to include a charger, saving on cost of charger, packaging and distribution costs.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StoneJack Avatar
12 weeks ago
Charging standard is fine.
But there is also accessories standard.
Would be nice to have chargers and accessories on USB-C
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gphome Avatar
12 weeks ago

Why would they bother? The EU directive is already going to force manufacturers to act, so its kinda superfluous for the UK to speak up now. Seems like pointless bureaucracy
I agree, to think that we in the UK can mandate anything to large tech companies is delusional. If we tried to mandate anything different from the Americans or EU, Google/apple/Samsung would politely tell us to eff off
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)