Commissioner to device makers: ‘We’re not forcing anybody to enter the internal market, but if they want to do so, they must comply’
Apple will have to change the connector on iPhones it sells into Europe by 2024 after an EU amendment makes USB-C the common charging port across a range of devices. Under the new rules, manufacturers wishing to sell smartphones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video game consoles, and portable speakers (charged via wired cable) in the single market will have to ensure they are equipped with a USB Type-C port. Companies have 24 months before the directive’s provisions kick in, and they wouldn’t apply to any devices placed in the market before autumn 2024. The smartphone move will impact Apple in particular as most of the Android handset manufacturers have already made the move to USB-C. Laptop manufacturers have 40 months after the agreement is published in the EU Official Journal (in about three weeks). Apple has already rolled out USB-C charging for its later models of MacBooks and iPads, so this part of the edict will predominantly affect other laptop manufacturers. The single charging solution will be implemented as part of the amended Radio Equipment Directive, nine months after the legislative proposal was first tabled in September 2021.
