By an overwhelming majority, members of the European Commission voted in favor of a proposal that would force Apple to scrap the Lightning connector in favor of USB-C in Europe.
It was In September last year the European Union put forward a proposal Wireless equipment routing modification, which means that all electronic equipment must be charged with the same technology: USB-C.
The proposal includes mobile phones, portable game consoles, cameras, headphones, portable speakers, tablets, etc.
Years of volunteer work with the industry has reduced the number of portable chargers from 30 to 3 standards in the past decade, but it wasn’t a complete solution. The commission is now introducing legislation to create a common fee solution for all related units, as reported in press releases this time.
However, the proposal does not include things like smartwatches, activity bracelets and earplugs, which may have special charging needs due to their size.
That’s how they voted
On Wednesday this week, the European Union’s internal market committee voted on the proposal, ending with 43 votes in favor and two against. Apple from the inside.
at press release The European Commission wrote that the decision will reduce e-waste and facilitate the use of different types of electronic devices.
They also want manufacturers to be more clear about labeling new phones and the like with their charging options, as well as whether or not they include a charger. This is to make it more clear to consumers who own more devices.
with launch iPhone 12 phones that Apple chose to remove the power adapter from the case In 2020. Since then, many mobile phone manufacturers have started to do the same.
Many competitors do like Apple
What does Apple do?
We wrote last year that what the EU wants means that everyone who doesn’t use USB-C to charge this equipment should change their practices.
This means both those who still supply the equipment with Micro USB charging, as well as Apple who are skeptical about the Lightning cable on the iPhone. The company has already switched to USB-C on both Mac and iPad.
Whether we will see USB-C in the company’s phones is uncertain.
Apple itself has stated that forcing the industry to move to a common charging port is an obstacle to innovation and will lead to more electronic waste as consumers are forced to switch to new cables, according to Apple Insider.
way forward
The fact that the European Commission has now voted in favor of the proposal does not mean that it will come into full force yet.
It must first be adopted by the European Parliament next month, and if that happens, the Commission will have to talk to EU member states about how to implement it.
If this happens, manufacturers will have two years to implement the changes.
During that time, Apple may have opted to do what has been rumored for years, drop charging fees entirely — in favor of wireless charging.
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