Tech companies in Europe will soon be forced to all use the same style of charger, it has been decided by the EU.
An overwhelming vote in the European Parliament has moved to force companies to come together and use one charger for all of their products, making life much easier for consumers overwhelmed by that familiar tangle of a million different wires.
Gone are the days of micro USBs, mini USBs, and USB-C cables all knotting and twisting together in a drawer somewhere.
In their place? A brave new world where one phone charger fits all.
Current standardisation plans in Europe will see all tech businesses switch to USB-C ports on all of their products, in a move that will both cut waste and make consumer choices easier.
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This means that companies such as Apple would be forced to drop its controversial “lightning” cable and move to an industry standard.
MEPs voted 43 in favour to just two against, reports The Independent, when debating the change for the influential Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection.
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The parliament is also looking to extend this new standardisation to wireless charging methods, too.
The rule is also likely to be applied to other devices such as tablets, games consoles, e-readers, digital camera and other portable electronic devices, such as laptops.
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Some devices, however, like smart watches and health trackers are likely to be exempt if they are considered too small to comply.
Although the UK is no longer part of the EU, where the legislation is being pushed through, the bloc’s influential position in Europe means that consumers here will likely also see the benefit of the change as businesses reconfigure products for sale across the continent.
Whilst the final regulation has not been fully confirmed yet, the EU has already approved a similar plan for a standard charger in January earlier this year. Now it will look to finalise details on this latest move.
The plan, once finalised, will then be confirmed by the parliament’s 705 MEPs next month.
Alex Agius Saliba, a socialist MEP from Malta who is guiding the proposals through parliament as its rapporteur, said: “With half a billion chargers for portable devices shipped in Europe each year, generating 11,000 to 13,000 tonnes of e-waste, a single charger for mobile phones and other small and medium electronic devices would benefit everyone.
“It will help the environment, further help the reuse of old electronics, save money, and reduce unnecessary costs and inconvenience for both businesses and consumers.
“We are proposing a truly comprehensive policy intervention, building on the commission’s proposal by calling for the interoperability of wireless charging technologies by 2026 and improving information given to consumers with dedicated labels.
“We are also expanding the proposal’s scope by adding more products, such as laptops, that will need to comply with the new rules.”
Marcus Rashford reportedly sheds light on his future
Danny Jones
Manchester United star and current Aston Villa loanee Marcus Rashford has reportedly shed some light on his future, i.e. whether or notit remains at Old Trafford.
Wythenshawe’s world-famous winger and England international has spent the last few months on loan at Villa after being sidelined by Man United head coach Ruben Amorim.
Since arriving in Birmingham, he’s managed to discover some of the form that made him one of the Premier League‘s most talented players and still one of the most sought-after in Europe, registering four goals and 5 assists in 16 games under new manager Unai Emery.
Having already labelled him ‘one of the world’s dangerous attackers’ before his arrival at Villa Park was confirmed, going on to insist that he is steadily “regaining confidence”, it’s clear that his new gaffer would happily keep and it seems like Rashford now feels a permanent move elsewhere might suit him.
Marcus Rashford not in any hurry to decide his future. Will wait until the summer before talking to anyone. https://t.co/RtQqbKKs9j
While BBC Sport’s Simon Stone reported that Rashford is “not in any hurry” to decide where he goes next, the football writer and reliable transfer source did note that the 27-year-old at least “feels it is unlikely he will play for Manchester United again under Ruben Amorim.”
It is thought that the Portuguese ex-midfielder and former Sporting CP boss had taken issue with Rashford over his effort levels in training and application in games, the suggestion being that the lifelong Red Devil wasn’t quite buying into his ideas.
As a result, Stone goes on to add that “while his United contract is due to run until 2028, and it is not completely out of the question Rashford might return, sources close to the player do not see an obvious way back into the Old Trafford fold.”
Not unlike the situation between Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho, with the fellow forward being ousted from the squad following a fall-out, leadership might prove a similar obstacle in this case as well.
That being said, and given the fact that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are looking to build around their new manager as opposed to starting from square one yet again, a reconciliation between Amorim and Rashford would be required. Given how much he’s enjoying his football at Villa, it seems doubtful.
"It worked for both parties" 🤝
Gary Neville believes that Manchester United letting Marcus Rashford leave was still the right' decision 🔴 pic.twitter.com/DNAmejWKC3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 23, 2025
What little we do know regarding Rashford‘s future is that he looks to have ruled out a move to London and would prefer to settle at a team playing Champions League football, with Aston Villa in with a strong chance of finishing in the European places once again.
Villa are said to have an option buy clause worth around £40 million; other continental clubs said to still be interested in his signature include Barcelona and PSG.
You can watch the highlights from Rashford’s last game against familiar rivals Manchester City, in which he grabbed yet another goal for Villa, down below. He could have had two, were it not for the post…
Do you think Rashford should try and make a Villa move permanent, return home or look elsewhere?
Manchester United reportedly leading the race for Matheus Cunha after multiple ‘hints’
Danny Jones
Manchester United may have come crashing back down to reality after their 1-0 loss at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, but they may have left with a consolation prize as multiple so-called ‘hints’ and the latest transfer rumours have it that Matheus Cunha is in their sights.
Cunha has been one of the best players in a struggling Wolves side over the past couple of seasons and was one of the most effective on the pitch once again as the visitors did the double over Man United for the first time since 1979/80.
It may have been an impressive free kick from Pablo Sarabia that got Vitor Pereira’s squad over the line after the home team missed a number of chances in front of goal, but many fans felt it was somewhat of a second audition for Cunha, who scored and assisted for both goals in the reverse fixture.
Notwithstanding his latest performance, if you’re inclined to believe the latest transfer rumblings from reliable sources such as Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic, it sounds like United are pushing hard for Matheus Cunha already and that the signs are looking promising.
Manchester United hold positive contract talks on Matheus Cunha.
Wolves want £62.5m release clause paying in full, but open to instalments.
Ruben Amorim + #MUFC execs aligned on target for No 10 position.
Even prior to Stockport-born United journalist Laurie Whitwell’s report on Tuesday morning, numerous outlets were quick to hop on what is becoming an increasingly intriguing saga.
Transfer expert Romano had already claimed that there were “good feelings” following early contact between the two clubs, noting that discussions around personal terms are underway with United fully aware that Cunha will have plenty of suitors given his relatively reasonable release clause in this climate.
Speaking on his YouTube Channel, the Italian reporter went on to insist that the club are now leading the race and pushing hard to get a deal done early, adding that a source has told him there “great connection” between all interested parties.
Cunha, 25, was also at the centre of a mini media storm of his own making earlier this month too, after sharing an Instagram post which read: “Time to be happy. I will follow my dreams and yours… So stay cool.” It was deleted shortly after.
Romano also went on to state that “the feeling between Matheus Cunha and Ruben Amorim is excellent”, with supporters from both clubs spotting that the fellow Portuguese speaker was quick to put his arm around the Wolves number 10 once again after the full-time whistle.
• 26 Dec 2024 Amorim and Cunha at full-time
• Today Amorim and Cunha at half-time
I'm telling you now that we're signing Cunha this summer. Couldn't be more obvious that Amorim likes him. 👀😁 pic.twitter.com/LeKESZPSQS
Whether or not the Man United head coach was putting in his own additional effort to try and tap up Cunha or at least bend his ear on the situation, only time will tell, but it seems with the microscope fully on the Brazilian attacking midfielder, virtually everything he does is being closely scrutinised.
For instance, other eagle-eyed fans noticed that the former Red Bull Leipzig star and Olympic gold medallist did something rather intriguing when walking out onto the pitch at Old Trafford before kick-off this past weekend.
Make of that what you will…
The fact that he was spotted not just waving and acknowledging supporters both before and after the game, but even stopping to take pictures outside Old Trafford, has also added fuel to the fire.
All evidence appears to point towards transfer and player contract talks already progressing, even if they are still in their early stages, and there seems to be a belief that Cunha himself would be keen on the move, especially with Wolves lingering just above the drop zone.
At the very least, it’s clear that there will need to be outgoings in order for Man United to undergo any real activity in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The question is, would you like to see Cunha swap ‘old gold’ for red?
You can watch the highlights from the defeat at Old Trafford down here.
Georgina Pellant -
25th April 2022 
