USB Forum steps in to certify Type-C cables

Over the last year or so, we have heard plenty of horror stories about dodgy USB Type-C cables that don't quite meet the required spec for powering or charging devices properly. These cables have been known to cause damage, one particular cable even killed off a Google engineer's Chromebook but now it looks like the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) is planning on doing something about it.

The USB-IF is the industry group responsible for the rollout of USB Type-C, will begin certifying USB chargers, giving cables that actually meet the required spec a ‘Certified USB Charger' logo in an effort to help users avoid buying a bad cable and damaging their device.

In a statement, the USB-IF said: “Guided by the USB brand promise of ‘it just works’, the Certified USB Charger Programme 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.”

This certification process almost seems necessary at this point. As The Inquirer points out, even Google's own Nexus smartphones come with cables that don't meet the required USB Type-C spec. The OnePlus 2 also had issued with non-compliant USB Type-C cables. OnePlus had a similar issue with its own smartphone.

KitGuru Says: A lot of companies have been releasing USB Type-C cables that don't meet the proper power requirements to charge many devices and this can lead to damage. Hopefully with a certification process now in place, this sort of thing can be avoided in the future. 

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