EU adopts one phone charger after a decade of pursuit
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
All telephone devices used in the European Union (EU) will adopt the same type of charging port for mobile phones, tablets, and cameras two years from now.
Apple and all other telephone handset manufacturers, including Samsung, Nokia, Techno, and Huawei have to adopt one universal charger – first for the European market, from where it will inevitably go round the world.
The rule made by the European Parliament forces manufacturers to create a universal charging solution for phones and small electronic devices in order to reduce waste as consumers re-use existing chargers when buying a new device.
“By autumn 2024, USB Type-C will become the common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the EU,” the European Parliament said.
EU countries and lawmakers agreed to this after a decade long pursuit. It is the first of its kind in the world, according to Reuters.
The political intervention, which the European Commission said would make life easier for consumers and save them money, came after companies failed to reach a common solution.
Brussels has been pushing for a single mobile charging port for more than a decade, prompted by complaints from iPhone and Android users about having to switch to different chargers for their devices.
Apple will be the worst hit by this decision as iPhones are charged from a lightning cable, while Android-based devices use USB-C and USB micro-B connectors.
Half the chargers sold with mobile phones in 2018 had a USB micro-B connector, while 29 per cent had a USB-C connector and 21 per cent a Lightning connector, according to a 2019 Commission study.
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Saves €250m euros for consumers
EU industry chief Thierry Breton said the deal would save around €250 million ($267 million) for consumers.
“It will also allow new technologies such as wireless charging to emerge and to mature without letting innovation become a source of market fragmentation and consumer inconvenience,” Reuters reports, according to Premium Times.
Apple, which has warned the proposal would hurt innovation and create a mountain of electronic waste, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“We are proud that laptops, e-readers, earbuds, keyboards, computer mice, and portable navigation devices are also included,” Alex Agius Saliba, a lawmaker who steered the debate at the parliament, told Reuters.
Laptops will have to comply with the legislation within 40 months of it entering into force. The EU executive will have the power in future to harmonise wireless charging systems.
The deal will affect Samsung, Huawei and other device makers as it also covers e-readers, earbuds and other technologies.