The European Parliament approves the adoption of a universal charger for smartphones | world and science

The action will force Apple to give up “light” access for its iPhone modelsReproduction / Getty Images

Posted on 10/4/2022 13:12

On Tuesday (4) the European Parliament approved a law mandating a universal charger, with a USB-C port, for smartphones, tablets and mobile devices from the end of 2024, a measure that will force Apple to modify its models.

The regulation was approved by an overwhelming majority of 602 in favour, 13 in favour, with eight abstentions. The move will force Apple to abandon the specific entry for its iPhone models, called Lightning.

According to the approved legislation, as of the implementation of the Regulation, mobile devices can be sold with or without a charger, to give the consumer the possibility to use the cables already in the house, without paying for a new device.

During the discussions, MEPs argued that adopting a universal charger model would reduce the number of old chargers disposed of each year and reduce costs to consumers.

The move is expected to save at least 200 million euros ($195 million) a year and reduce more than 1,000 tons of e-waste annually in the European Union, said European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

Apple has fiercely resisted measures to standardize charging ports for cell phones and mobile devices, claiming that such legislation would undermine technological innovation.

However, users of the latest iPhone models complain that the Lightning input is able to transfer data at a fraction of the speed of USB-C.

The regulation approved by the European Parliament this Tuesday must be fully implemented within two years for cell phones, tablets, digital cameras, portable speakers, portable video game consoles, e-readers and more.

It decides that once the law is published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the bloc countries will have a period of 12 months to adapt their domestic legislation and another 12 months to make its application mandatory.

The design of the universal charger has been the subject of extensive negotiations and several failed attempts in recent years, in the face of fierce opposition from Apple. Finally, in June, a majority agreement could have been launched that allowed it to be approved on the fourth Tuesday, and this European action is expected to have repercussions around the world.

The 27 countries of the European Union have 450 million people among the richest consumers in the world. Therefore, organizational changes of the bloc often lead to the adoption of global standards.