The Government has just made the USB-C charger mandatory for small and medium-sized electronic devices sold in France from December 28, 2024. A way to comply with European legislation.
This marks the end of a long journey that will have kept us in suspense! That’s it, the publication in the Official Journal of decree n°2023-1271 of December 27, 2023 and of its implementing decree finally imposes the use of a universal charger for all so-called electronic devices “small and medium sized” from December 28, 2024. Concretely, manufacturers must provide at least one USB-C type port for electric charging on all mobile devices sold in France. A law which is not really a surprise, since it only transposes into French law the European regulations imposing a universal charger (see our article), with the aim of reducing electronic waste.
USB-C: a universal and interoperable charger
The following devices will be required to provide a USB-C charging port, if they offer wired charging, from December 28, 2024, regardless of the manufacturer:
- mobile phones (including iPhones);
- the tablets ;
- cameras;
- headsets and earphones;
- video game consoles;
- portable speakers;
- e-readers;
- keyboards;
- mice;
- portable navigation systems (GPS).
All these devices must offer charging via USB-C at voltages greater than 5 Volts, at currents greater than 3 Amps or at a power greater than 15 W, in order to guarantee that any charging protocol allows the full function of the device. power supply, regardless of the charging device used. The devices mentioned will be followed by laptops from April 26, 2026. They have additional time because, as they consume more energy, the integration of USB-C is more difficult. Note that, while there were still around thirty different models around ten years ago, the number of existing types of chargers for new electronic devices has already been greatly reduced. There are now three of them: the micro USB connector which has long fitted the majority of phones, USB-C, a more recent connection, and Apple’s Lightning charging technology. Please note, the new rules will not apply to products placed on the market before the date of application! The National Frequency Agency will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the law.
This decree also contains a directive which gives companies the choice of selling the device and the charger separately, or of selling both sets. On the other hand, they must indicate by a pictogram and by a sticker on the box when the device is offered or not with a charger. This should please manufacturers, who will be able to sell the charging device for a few additional euros, without lowering the initial price!
The objective of the measure is twofold: to promote interoperability between equipment and chargers, and to prevent 11,000 tonnes of electronic waste each year, the equivalent of 250 million euros thrown out the windows. Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, welcomed this decision as a major step forward “simplifying the lives of the French and improving their purchasing power”.