According to a European Commission proposal released on Thursday in a world first, the EU seeks to establish an universal charging port for mobile phones, tablets, and headphones, with the move affecting iPhone maker Apple more than its competitors.
The shift has been in the works for more than a decade, with the European Union executive citing environmental benefits and annual savings of 250 million euros ($293 million) for customers.
A USB-C connector will become the standard port for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers, and handheld videogame consoles, according to the Commission’s plan. Separately from the electrical equipment, chargers will be sold.
In the near future, the EU executive will amend its eco-design legislation to make the external power supply interoperable, which is the final step toward a single charge.
The Commission stated that it was not targeting Apple and that it was only acting because firms were unable to reach an agreement despite a decade of talks that had cut the number of mobile phone chargers from 30 to three.
The suggestion was met with strong opposition from Apple.
“We continue to be concerned that tight regulation mandating only one type of connector stifles rather than encourages innovation, harming customers in Europe and around the world,” the business said in a statement.
It also expressed reservations about the 24-month transition period for businesses to comply with the law if it is passed.
Thierry Breton, the Commission’s industry chief, objected to the unsightly look of many charging wires.
“My mission is to kill as many sea snakes as I can,” he said at a press conference.
Apple’s words were also criticized by Breton as old cliches.
“I’ve known these businesses for a long time. They begin to say “well, that will be against innovation” every time we bring (forth) a proposal. No, it isn’t anti-innovation, nor is it anti-anyone. It is for consumers, as is everything the Commission does “he stated
Users of iPhones and Android phones have long grumbled about having to use different chargers. The former is powered by a Lightning wire, whereas Android devices are powered via USB-C ports.
According to a 2019 Commission study, half of the chargers sold with mobile phones in 2018 had a USB micro-B connector, while 29 percent had a USB-C connector and 21% had a Lightning connector.
The idea must be approved by EU member states and EU legislators, after which businesses will have two years to update their equipment.
