EU plans to make USB-C connectors the standard port for all smartphones and tablets, angering Apple
The European Commission rules to force manufacturers to create a universal charging solution for phones and small electronic devices. The European Commission is aiming to have a common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets, cameras, headphones, and handheld videogame consoles.
The ruling has been in the making for a decade, with environmental concerns the main driving force behind the historic move.
Reducing waste
The rule will reduce waste by encouraging consumers to re-use existing chargers when buying a new device. Politicians have been pushing for this uni9versal charging rule for over a decade.
Disposed and unused charging cables generate approximately 11,000 tonnes of waste per year. Research shows the average person owns around three mobile phone chargers.
A decade ago there were about 30 different types of chargers, now, phones use either USB-C, lightning, and USB micro-B.
Rotten Apple
The move would see all smartphones in the EU sold with the same charger, a motion Apple is not happy about. The tech giant says this move would damage ongoing innovation.
The tech giant is the main manufacturer of smartphones using a custom charging port, as its iPhone series uses an Apple-made “Lightning” connector. Apple argues its Lightning connector is used by one billion active iPhone users.
“We remain concerned that strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world,”
Apple spokesperson
The proposed changes would apply to the charging port on the device body and will also standardise charging speeds. It may be a number of years before the proposals come into effect.
It will be thoroughly debated by the European Parliament and national Governments.
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