Saudi Arabia USB-C mandate: Timeline
This mandate will be enforced in two phases. The first phase which will commence on January 1, 2025, will account for devices like mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, e-readers, portable video game devices, headphones, earphones, amplifiers, keyboards, computer mice, portable navigation systems, portable speakers, and wireless routers. The second phase which is set to begin on April 1, 2026, will include laptops. To comply with the mandate, companies have to start shipping products with USB Type-C charging standards.
Why Saudi Arabia is putting such a mandate
As per the report, the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organisation, along with the Communications, Space and Technology Commission announced the mandatory stages of this transition. These departments emphasised that the directive aims to enhance users’ experience without imposing additional costs on them.
Apart from this, the kingdom has claimed that this move will reduce over 2.2 million units in the annual domestic consumption of charging equipment. The report mentions that this will save 170 million Saudi Riyals ($45.3 million) for Saudi consumers. This change will also contribute to the kingdom’s environmental goals of reducing electronic waste by nearly 15 tons every year.
Importance of USB Type-C
USB Type-C is the universal standard for wired connection of smart devices. It is also an industry-standard connector that can be used for transmitting both data and power through a single cable. USB-C ports also help in faster charging speeds and data transfer rates.