The UK has said it will not copy the EU’s demand to make USB-C the standard for all new phones and tablets by 2024. Apple, for instance, argues that such a move would restrict innovation and hurt consumers. In addition, the government says that the cost to consumers would be 250 million euros.
The UK government has said that it will not replicate the EU’s demand to make all new portable devices use a USB Type-C charging cable. This demand has been controversial – critics say it will limit innovation and stifle consumer choice. Despite the potential pitfalls, the move is a positive step for consumers.
The European Union recently agreed to mandate charging cables for portable devices to use the USB Type-C standard by 2024. This new regulation applies to all brands, but it has prompted a backlash from some manufacturers, including Apple. Apple has consistently objected to the proposal, saying that it will lead to huge amounts of electronic waste.
The EU’s decision is not final, however – it must be ratified by the EU’s parliament and the member states. Once passed, it will give laptop and tech companies until fall 2024 to switch to the new standard. The EU hopes to reduce electronic waste and improve consumers’ lives by defining a single charging cable standard.
The European Union wants to make USB-C a mandatory connector for electronic devices by 2024. This will affect many electronic devices, from notebooks to Bluetooth speakers. However, there are some obstacles that have to be overcome before this standard becomes official. In particular, many countries are skeptical of this standard.
This rule will make USB-C a standard for all future smartphones and other electronic devices sold within the EU. Later, laptops will also need to adopt the standard. In the meantime, Apple’s iPhones and iPads will still be sold with Lightning ports, but they will have to adopt USB-C.
The new legislation will need to be passed by the European Parliament and Council later this year. It’s expected to go into effect in autumn 2024 and will require all devices to have this port. The aim is to save consumers money and reduce the amount of electronic waste. The EU estimates that it will save 250 million Euros a year by mandating USB-C for consumer electronics.
The European Parliament is currently considering legislation that would mandate all mobile devices to support the same standard for charging. Apple has expressed its displeasure with the proposed legislation, arguing that it would hinder innovation and hurt consumers. Apple’s opposition to the legislation stems from its stance on sustainability and the environment. The company argues that such a move would result in EUR1.5 billion in wasted products, and that it would also limit innovation.
In the meantime, the European Commission argues that the legislation would reduce the amount of waste generated by chargers. In addition, it would also reduce the number of tangled cable drawers. Regardless of Apple’s position, the EU has proposed legislation that would require all mobile devices to use USB-C charging cables. Many device makers have already adapted to the new standard, but Apple remains a key holdout in the fight. In addition to the EU-imposed regulations, Apple’s latest models come with Lightning-compatible cables.
Apple supports the USB-C charging plug standard, but remains opposed to device-side standardization. The company argues that it would cost up to EUR2 billion to make its iPhones compliant with the new standard. Additionally, it believes that the iPhones are too thin to include a USB-C port. In addition, Apple has commissioned a Copenhagen Economic study to determine the impact that a common charging cable would have on consumers.
