by The European Union has finally approved legislation that would force tech companies like Apple to switch to USB-C on their various devices. The European Council has reportedly approved the European Parliament’s new regulations for universal chargers, finalizing the legislative process.
This also means that by the end of 2024, the USB-C interface will become a mandatory requirement for a series of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and headphones, and users will no longer need to buy a different charger every time they buy a new mobile phone or similar device, All can be charged using the same charger.
The announcement also pointed out that there is a 40-month grace period allowed for laptops using the unified charging interface. According to estimates, this move can reduce 11,000 tons of electronic waste every year.
The new rules will force all electronic devices to use a USB-C charging port, meaning most devices can be charged from the same charger. Additionally, to let consumers know exactly what they’re buying, the new rule introduces an icon specifying whether a new device has a charger and a sticker indicating charging performance.
The new rules also allow consumers to choose whether to buy new devices with or without chargers, which not only saves consumers money, but also reduces e-waste associated with the production, shipping and disposal of chargers. Four years after the new rules go into effect, the commission will assess whether such sales bundling should be enforced.
The new regulations will apply to a variety of portable devices:
- cell phone
- Tablets and eReaders
- Digital cameras and video game consoles
- Headphones, Earbuds and Portable Speakers
- Wireless Mouse and Keyboard
- Portable Navigation System
Earlier, Apple had responded to the unification of the EU interface by stating that strict regulation of only one connector would stifle innovation rather than encourage it, which in turn would hurt consumers in Europe and around the world.
It is worth mentioning that the information disclosed by the industry chain shows that Apple is already preparing a portless version of the iPhone, and charging is completely wireless instead of using Type-C. Supply chain sources also revealed that starting with the iPhone 15, Apple will switch the USB-C interface, and although this may cost Apple billions of dollars a year, there is no way around it.
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