The EU has voted in favor of a regulation that mandates a USB-C port on 15 gadget categories, including phones. Apple is not a target, just the worst hit.
After over a decade of debates and fierce corporate lobbying, the European Union has finally voted in favor of a standardization law that paves the way for a common charger and charging port on smartphones and tablets. The European Parliament, the European Council, and member nations have agreed upon legislation that aims to put a USB-C port on all smartphones and tablets sold in the EU region by 2024. While this legislation affects all smartphones and tablets in the region, Apple is the brand that will have to have to shoulder the bulk of the policy implementation. The Tim Cook-led company has stuck with the proprietary Lightning port on iPhones for years, but the EU regulation will force it to put a USB-C port on iPhones by 2024 or leave the market. That means Apple smartphones slated to debut late in 2024 will have to ditch the Lightning port in favor of a USB-C outlet for charging and file transfer. Aside from smartphones and tablets, the amendment to the EU’s Radio Equipment Directive covers a total of 15 categories, including audio wearables, cameras, e-readers, and video game consoles. Manufacturers have until the end of 2024 to adopt the USB-C standard on their devices and also agree to the standard charger policy. The legislation also extends to laptops, but brands have until the next 40 months to acclimatize to the changes prescribed for this category.
