Home » Business » New problems for Apple in Europe – The EU wants to introduce a universal charger for smartphones

New problems for Apple in Europe – The EU wants to introduce a universal charger for smartphones

For almost a decade now, the European Union has been trying to introduce legislation to standardize chargers for all mobile devices. From the point of view of practicality, such a thing seems quite useful, as almost everyone has at home a bunch of chargers for different gadgets, which over the years accumulate in cabinets and drawers.

Now this idea seems to be getting closer to realization, because the European Commission will propose legislation to impose a single standard of chargers for all models of mobile phones, tablets, headphones, music speakers, portable game consoles and all similar devices.

The topic itself has been the subject of debate for many years.

The EC’s ongoing discussion with various stakeholders began last year, and according to the final proposal, the single standard will limit the number of chargers that consumers must use and significantly reduce e-waste.

Another measure in this direction will be the suspension of sales of mobile devices complete with chargers. According to the Commission, this will benefit consumer convenience and further reduce the negative environmental impact of charger production and disposal.

In this sense, it is estimated that 11,000 million tonnes of waste are generated annually from chargers and cables, and in Europe each consumer has an average of three chargers, of which he uses only two on a regular basis. At the same time, citizens spend 2.4 billion euros a year on chargers alone.

In fact, back in 2009, major manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung and Huawei agreed to use a single standard, and over the next few years the industry gradually switched to the micro USB model, and then began to impose the newer USB-C.

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Photo: iStock

USB-C cable and port

In recent years, Brussels has finally managed to impose regulations that limit the use of chargers from a total of 30 to only three models – micro USB, USB-C and Apple’s Lightning. Now the new legislation will offer the only option to remain the USB-C model.

“European consumers have long been frustrated that their cabinets are full of chargers they can’t use,” said Margrethe Vestager, vice-president of the European Commission. “We have given manufacturers enough time to come up with solutions, and now is the time for legislative action to adopt a single charger standard.”

In any case, such a decision will affect the entire global mobile market.

The EU is home to 450 million people, who are also some of the most active consumers in the world. Last year alone, more than 420 million mobile phones and other portable electronic devices were sold on the continent.

Commission data for 2018 show that just over 20% of mobile phones in Europe are charged via Apple’s “Lightning”, while 29% use USB-C and about half use Micro USB. Currently, this ratio has shifted significantly, with nearly 50% of Android devices now USB-C.

Therefore, the proposed measures will greatly affect Apple, whose products use their own model, different from that of other manufacturers. The American giant has used USB-C for some of its tablets and laptops so far, but all other products of the company rely on the “Lightning” connector.

Switching entirely to the USB-C format will cause financial damage in the medium term, and it is no coincidence that the US digital giant strongly opposes the idea of ​​introducing a single standard.

The arguments are related to the fact that the mass transition to the new format will actually stimulate even more waste, as people will be forced to dispose of unnecessary “Lightning”. On the other hand, phones that are already used with an old charger will lose their value when resold if it cannot be replaced, and will add even more to the pollution.

“We remain concerned that the strict regulation, which requires only one type of charger, stifles innovation, not encourages it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world,” Apple said.

However, in order to become law, the Commission’s proposal must pass the approval of the Parliament and the Council of the EU, which act as the two Community legislatures.

If adopted by them, this will mean that producers will have 24 months to implement the new measures.

Until then, Apple will obviously have to make a full transition to the new model of chargers.

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