Malta MP Alex Agius Saliba said on Wednesday that the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Affairs did not have 43 votes in favor, 2 against and abstentions to pass the Common Wages law. Proposal announces that only USB-C should be used in Europe.
To justify this decision, the parliamentarians stated that mobile chargers create a large amount of electronic waste. they claim mobile device chargers generate over 12,000 to 14,000 tons of e-waste each yearto. Lawmakers estimate that one billion of these accessories are shipped each year in Europe alone. To combat this, some manufacturers like Apple or Samsung have stopped offering free chargers with their smartphones. This strategy has already saved Apple 6 billion euros.
Apple may have to switch to USB-C in 2024
The Commission wants all mobile phones, tablets, headsets, e-readers, low-power laptops, keyboards, computer mice, headsets, smart watches and electronic toys to integrate USB Type-C connectivity into their future devices. However, some devices on the list may be exempt, such as health trackers, watches, and other small devices.
So, if this offer is accepted by this summer, As such, Apple may have to abandon their iPhones’ Lightning port and switch to USB-C.. The deal will then have to be reviewed by the European Parliament and Council. This system would then enter into force in mid-2024, a time required to translate the measure into the national laws of the 27 Member States and give manufacturers time to comply.
For several years now, the European Parliament has been considering standardizing charging ports to prevent their proliferation. Whether this forces Apple to use USB-C in their smartphones or whether the American giant choose to be 100% wireless until then. In this regard, the new revised proposals also include a call. Interoperability of wireless charging technologies by 2026 “.
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