by An agreement has been reached between European Union lawmakers on legislation that will require all future smartphones sold in the EU, including Apple iPhones, to be equipped with universal USB-C charging parts by fall 2024.
The Verge reports that European lawmakers have reached an agreement on legislation that would require all future smartphones sold in the EU to have a USB-C charging port by fall 2024. The rule s will apply to other devices such as tablets, digital cameras, headphones, etc. Laptops will have to comply with the legislation, but have been given an extended deadline.
(BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
While the legislation has been drafted in various formats for more than a decade, agreement on the scope of the new rule was only reached this week following negotiations between several EU bodies.
European Parliament rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba commented in a press release: “Today we have made the common charger a reality in Europe! European consumers have long been frustrated by the accumulation of multiple chargers with each new device. From now on, they will be able to use a single charger for all their portable electronic devices. »
We have reached an agreement on the common charger! 🔌👏
✔️mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, digital cameras and more #USBtypeC
✔️harmonized fast charging technology
✔️dissociation of the sale of chargers from the sale of devices🔴 Press conference at 12:30 p.m. CEST ➡️ https://t.co/TCBXxzIEdr pic.twitter.com/29JmeL0nxe
– IMCO Committee Press (@EP_SingleMarket) June 7, 2022
This decision aims to reduce electronic waste and make life easier for consumers. Lawmakers are hoping phones and other devices won’t come with a charger in the box because buyers will already have a suitable charger at home. The EU estimates the legislation could save consumers up to €250m a year on ‘unnecessary charger purchases’ and cut 11,000 tonnes of e-waste a year.
This is likely to shake things up at Apple, which has kept its Lightning port for its iPhone devices for many years. Reporter Saliba added: “In two years, if Apple wants to sell its products in our domestic market, it will have to follow our rules and its device will have to be USB-C.”
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Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering free speech and online censorship issues. Follow him on Twitter @LucasNolan or contact by secure email at lucasnolan@protonmail.com
