Outlined in an official press release, the European Council today gave the European Parliament's common charger directive approval, finalizing the legislative procedure that will make a USB-C port mandatory across a wide range of consumer electronic devices, including the iPhone and AirPods, by the end of 2024.The directive has now been officially adopted and is set to be published in the official journal of the European Union.It will come into force 20 days after publication, and the rules will apply exactly 24 months after that date.Products that go on sale before the date of application will be exempt and can continue to be sold after that point.Exemptions will apply for devices that are too small to offer a USB-C port, such as smart watches, health trackers, and some sports equipment, but the legislation is expected to expand to other devices over time."