Manufacturers will be forced to create a universal charging solution for phones and small electronics, based on a new standard proposed by the European Commission (EC).
The aim is to reduce waste by encouraging consumers to reuse existing chargers when purchasing a new device. All smartphones sold in the EU must be equipped with USBC chargers, the proposal says.
Apple has warned that such a move would hurt innovation. The tech giant is the first maker of smartphones that use a custom charging port, as its iPhone series uses an Apple-made ‘Lightning’ connector the company told the BBC.
He added that he aims to make every Apple device and use carbon neutral by 2030. Most Android phones either have microB USB charging ports or have already moved to the more modern USBC standard.
The graph shows the most common USB, Micro USB, and Lightning Type-C charging connectors. Newer iPad and MacBook models use USBC charging ports, as well as high-end phone models from famous Android manufacturers such as Samsung and Huawei.
About half of the chargers sold with mobile phones in the European Union in 2018 had a USB microB connector, while 29% had a USB C connector and 21% a Lightning connector, according to a Commission impact assessment study in 2019.
The proposed rules will apply to smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers, portable video game consoles, other products including headsets, smartwatches and fitness trackers that have not been considered for technical reasons related to the size and conditions of Utilization.
The proposal also standardizes fast charging speeds, meaning that devices that can charge quickly will be charged at the same speed. more than 11,000 tonnes of waste per year. In the European Union, around 420 million cell phones and other portable electronic devices were sold in the past year.
The average person has about three cell phone chargers, two of which are regular. 2009 there were over 30 different chargers, while now most models stick to three USBC, Lightning and USB microB. “Having a common load standard would be a common-sense victory in the eyes of consumers,” said Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight.
“Although Apple has strongly advocated retaining its Lightning connector, given the billion active iPhone users, some of its products, including Macs and iPads, now support USB. Apple Lightning Connector. ” We hope that eventually becomes a problem if Apple keeps adding.
USBC to multiple devices. It may take several years for the proposals to take effect. The legislative proposal, known as the directive, will be discussed by the European Parliament and national governments. MEPs and Member States can suggest amendments to the proposal.
It is only after the EC approves these changes that the directive will be promulgated. The EC hopes this will happen in 2022, after which member states will typically have two years to transpose the rules into their national law and manufacturers will have 24 months to change their charging ports.
“We have left a lot of time for the industry to find their own solutions, now is the time to take legislative action for a common charger. This is a major victory for our consumers and the environment and in line with our green and digital ambitions. , said Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager.
