Brazil to make USB-C chargers mandatory

After the European Union ruled that USB-C chargers are mandatory for all smartphones, Brazil s telecoms regulator Anatel has launched a public consultation on a proposal to make USB-C chargers mandatory for all phones sold in the country.

Brazil is one of many countries that are looking to make the USB-C standard charger for smartphones. The EU passed a law on this earlier this month making the USB-C mandatory for a whole range of electronic devices, including the smartphone, by the end of 2024. Some Democrats in the US have been pushing for a similar law.

Anatel has suggested a similar approach for the Brazilian market after following the movements in international markets. The telecoms regulators stated in the documents supporting the public consultation that the advantages of making USB-C mandatory would make things easier for customers and reduce e-waste. The law would discourage tech companies from developing new, better standards, as pointed out by The Verge, and the higher costs to enforce the regulation are some of the disadvantages of this. Anatel s public consultation is scheduled to run until August 26th.

As a solution of sorts, the EU politicians have said that the law will be updated as and when new technology becomes available. Thierry Breton, a Commissioner for the EU internal market, told the media that they were not setting anything in stone for the next decade and that they would adapt and evolve as new technology comes in.

The USB-C has become the default standard for all new Android phones, so legislation like this is going to hit Apple the hardest. Apple still uses its proprietary Lighting port for charging. The company has been testing USB-C iPhones, and has already adopted it for many of its MacBooks and iPads.

If Apple needs to ensure the USB-C charger for devices, one of the fastest ways to do it would be to provide a Lightining port to the USB-C converter in the box while they work on creating iPhones with the USB-C port.