Saudia has established a new rule that requires all electronic devices to use the same type of charging connection. On January 1, 2025, the first stage of the mandate’s implementation will begin, mandating that all devices use the USB-C standard.
The government has stated that the goals of this effort are to improve customer happiness, reduce costs and electronic waste, and make high-quality data transfers easier to implement.
The Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organisation and the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission worked together to issue the mandate.
Saudia makes C port mandatory
In the first stage of rollout, mobile phones and other electronic devices including keyboards, speakers, and routers will be included. On April 1, 2026, a new phase will begin that will include laptops and other portable computers. These groups estimate that consumers will save $45 million yearly and reduce charger consumption by over 2.2 million units as a result of these policies.
This change occurs because the European Union required USB C ports in all consumer electronics sold in the region by 2023. The next iPhone 15 series, which has previously used Lightning or other ports for nearly a decade, will be using USB C this year due to this same reason.
In contrast to Europe, however, manufacturers in Saudi Arabia will have until 2025 to equip their smartphones and other tiny devices with USB C connectors. Portable computers, however, have until 2026 to make the transition.
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