The European Commission has decided that USB Type-C port should become a common standard for charging and data delivery across the European Union. The EU had previously released a similar mandate with a Micro USB port.
The EU has announced plans to harmonize and standardize the charging and data delivery port. Needless to mention, the European Commission may have once again managed to upset Apple Inc. The company is steadfastly holding onto its own proprietary “Lightning” port.
All major consumer electronics with rechargeable batteries will need to have a USB Type-C port, recommends European Commission:
The European Commission has announced it intends to bring in new legislation, dubbed ‘Radio Equipment Directive’ to mandate USB Type-C ports on all consumer electronic devices. The regulation is currently limited to the European market; however, it could obviously set a global mandate.
Needless to mention, at the heart of ruling, are smartphones. However, the rules will apply to other devices like tablets, headphones, portable speakers, videogame consoles, and cameras.
USB Type-C could be set as a mandatory Charging Port for all the Devices in Europe.
Apple Uses "Lightning Port" on their devices for years, so now its time for a change.
From my perspective its a great news as it will definitely reduce E-Waste♻. #Apple #USBTypeC pic.twitter.com/SSk6zCppYj
— Rajveer Yadav (Tech Blitz) (@TechBlitz5) September 23, 2021
The legislation could make it illegal to sell consumer electronic devices that lack a USB Type-C port. Incidentally, the legislation would not prevent devices from having additional ports for charging. However, they will need to have a UBS Type-C port that will accept charging.
EU going to mandate USB Type-C, sending a message to Apple to shove their lightning cable in. https://t.co/UuNUcl1crM
— Nokia Fanboys (@NFanboys) September 23, 2021
The new legislature also recommends shipping electronic devices without a power brick. Additional mandates reportedly include a “harmonized” standard for a fast-charging technology. Incidentally, some companies have already started selling smartphones without power bricks to reduce waste and cut costs.
The European Commission wants to mandate USB Type-C on all new mobile devices https://t.co/2hdWZwcV7l pic.twitter.com/nFBvr3YRQj
— TechSpot (@TechSpot) September 23, 2021
To become law, the revised Radio Equipment Directive proposal will need to pass a vote in the European Parliament. If adopted, manufacturers will eventually have 24 months to comply with the new rules.
Interestingly, the law currently restricts itself to devices receiving power. The commission plans to mandate even power bricks or charge delivery equipment to have a USB Type-C port in the near future.
Apple could still wriggle out of the new Radio Equipment Directive:
It is amply clear that the proposal to mandate a USB Type-C port for charging will have the biggest impact on Apple Inc. The iPhone maker has long fought such regulations, recommendations, and guidelines.
Apple Inc. still continues to ship an iPhone with a Lightning port for charging and data transfer. Strangely, an Apple iPhone is currently the only mainstream Apple-branded device that sports a proprietary port.
#iPadMini comes with 5G and USB Type-C port #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/P77tHWOZcX
— Vivin Mitra (@iOldMonk) September 14, 2021
Apple has begun shipping MacBooks, Mac PCs, and even iPad tablets with a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. It is not immediately clear why the company refuses to abandon the Lightning port in favor of the USB-C port.
It became known when the iPhone will have USB Type-C instead of Lightning https://t.co/DPPR6c8rQb
— Droid News (@DroidDotNews) September 21, 2021
Apple Inc. does offer a USB Type-C to Lightning port adapter. However, the company could still circumvent the potential piece of legislature.
The EU exempts devices that purely rely on wireless charging from having a USB Type-C port. Hence, Apple Inc. could simply start manufacturing an iPhone that’s completely devoid of any ports. Future iPhone models could only accept wireless charging.