The European Union (EU) will confirm plans to introduce a common charger port for mobile phones, tablets and headphones later this week, which means Apple should abandon its patented Lightning connector for the USB interface -C more universal.
European policymakers have been interested in a single standard for more than a decade, citing significant amounts of e-waste caused by unused chargers and the inconvenience to Android and iPhone users who need different cables for different devices.
However, the EU has become increasingly frustrated by the industry’s lack of progress in finding a compromise and is now ready to legislate to force its hand, publishing the proposed regulations last year.
A charger to rule them all
Reuters says more talks between member states and lawmakers will take place later this week and could be the final round of talks before a more concrete plan is set.
Other issues that need to be addressed include the scope of the legislation and how it will affect laptops, and the length of the initial period.
Last year’s proposals said the rules could come into force within six months of adoption instead of the more usual two years, so they would have a more immediate effect. This period of time would dramatically increase the impact on manufacturers. Lawmakers also want to include provisions to harmonize wireless charging systems by 2025
The EU has been expressing its views on the industry for almost a decade, and in 2009 there seemed to be a breakthrough when Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Apple agreed to use the MicroUSB standard for all new smartphones in 2011. However, many Sellers have since switched to USB-C technology, while Apple has persisted with proprietary ports, introducing the “Lightning” connector with the iPhone 5 in 2013.
The use of USB-C would disproportionately affect Apple, which would have to create a special edition of its products for Europe, or it would be forced to change the design for all markets in the world.
Apple opposes any mandate, arguing that it would lead to a lot of e-waste as consumers dispose of their old Lightning chargers.
However, the EU believes that a common charger will reduce e-waste volumes, as all cables would be interchangeable between devices. When Apple switched from its old 30-pin connector to Lightning, some accessories became unusable or required an additional adapter to operate.
Via Reuters (opens in a new tab)