USB-IF Introduces USB Device Compliance Program

Chances are, many of you own a promotional USB product, like a phone charger or flash drive. You probably have sold them to end-buyers as promotional items on multiple occasions, too. And for good reason—they work as long-lasting, useful promotions. And, an increasing amount of companies are implementing USB Type-C products due to their increased capabilities. However, with this new technology, comes great problems. Some have harmed their own devices by using these products.

To combat this issue, the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has instituted the first compliance program for USB chargers for devices, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, charging docks and more. The program allows companies that meet USB-IF's compliance standards to include a special logo on their products that marks them as safe for use.

USB-IF's compliance program allows distributors and end-users to know that the product won't harm devices. (Image via Digital Trends)

"USB-IF understands consumers want to carry less equipment without sacrificing battery life or flexibility," Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president and chief operating officer, said in a press release. "Guided by the USB brand promise of 'it just works,' the Certified USB Charger Program will make it easier to share device chargers across the compliant USB Type-C landscape, whether consumers are at home, in the office or anywhere in between."

The USB Type-C technology first arrived in March 2015. According to CNET, USB Type-C cables have a top speed of 10Gbps, and enable storage vendors to make drives with larger capacities, since they have the power to run multiple desktop hard drives. With its bi-directional power, this cable can be used for more than one function, rather than people having cables for their phones, cables for their MP3 players and cables for their laptops. Apple's latest 12" Macbook is the first notebook to incorporate a USB Type-C port.

"The future of consumer tech is mobility and letting technology disappear into the background," Rahman Ismail, chief technology officer for USB-IF, said in the press release. "Certified USB chargers will give users an interoperable power source and a seamless experience. From displays, to smartphones and docking stations, the industry is aligning behind USB Type-C and USB Power Delivery as the last wire you'll ever need for fast charging."

For a product to meet USB-IF compliance, it must pass interoperability tests and meet industry standards. USB-IF added that its own certification is not a substitute for local, state, federal or international safety regulations.

"Reusing chargers and reducing the total number of chargers needed will help minimize electronic waste in landfills," USB-IF said in the press release. "Additionally, certified USB chargers will be convenient and easy to use for customers."

So, for promotional products distributors looking to provide end-buyers with the latest technology, USB Type-C products should be a big hit in the industry. They're not quite as common as Type-A and Type-B, but with more standardization and usage, and the appeal of only using one cable for multiple functions, they could be.

End-users will want these cables for their speed and convenience, and end-buyers can look forward to long-lasting logo visibility due to their versatile capabilities. Thanks to this certification, distributors can be even more confident that they are providing a quality product that will last.