The EU Parliament passed a new law on Tuesday that stipulates that USB-C must be the uniform charging standard for all new smartphones, tablets and cameras from the end of 2024.
The measure, passed by EU lawmakers by a vote of 602 to 13, will see Apple – at least in Europe – drop its outdated Lightning port on its iPhones for the USB-C port already used by used by many of its competitors.
Laptop manufacturers will have additional time from early 2026 to follow suit.
EU leaders say the single charger rule will simplify Europeans’ lives, reduce the mountain of outdated chargers and lower costs for consumers.
It is expected to save at least 200 million euros ($195 million) a year and save more than a thousand tonnes of EU e-waste each year, said the bloc’s competition chief Margrethe Vestager.
The EU’s move is expected to make waves around the world.
450 million people live in the 27 countries of the European Union and are among the wealthiest consumers in the world. Regulatory changes in the bloc often set global industry norms in what is known as the Brussels Effect.
“Today is a great day for consumers, a great day for our environment,” said Maltese MEP Alex Agius Saliba, the European Parliament’s spokesman on the issue.
“After more than a decade, the single charger for multiple electronic devices is finally becoming a reality for Europe and hopefully we can inspire the rest of the world too,” he said.
– Faster data speed –
Apple, the world’s second-largest smartphone maker after Samsung, is already using USB-C charging ports on its iPads and laptops.
But it defied EU legislation to force a change away from its Lightning ports on its iPhones, saying it was disproportionate and would stifle innovation.
However, some users of the latest flagship iPhone models – which can capture extremely high-resolution photos and videos in huge data files – complain that the Lightning cable transfers data at a fraction of the speed of USB-C.
EU law will apply to all handheld mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, portable speakers, handheld video game consoles, e-readers, earphones, keyboards, mice and portable navigation systems in two years.
People buying a device have the choice to buy one with or without a USB-C charger to take advantage of the fact they may already have at least one cable at home.
Manufacturers of electronic consumer goods in Europe settled on a single charging standard for dozens in the market a decade ago as part of a voluntary agreement with the European Commission.
But Apple refused to comply, and other manufacturers kept their alternative cables going, meaning there are still about six types floating around.
These include USB-A, Mini-USB, and old-style USB-Micro, creating a clutter of cables for consumers.
USB-C ports can charge at up to 100 watts, transfer data at up to 40 gigabits per second, and connect to external displays.
Apple is also offering wireless charging for its latest iPhones — and there’s speculation that it could ditch wired charging ports altogether in future models. But currently, the wireless charging option offers lower power and data transfer speeds than USB-C.
