The 4th of October (UPI) — The European Parliament has approved a new regulation that would mandate USB Type-C charging ports on all mobile devices, cameras, and tablets sold in the European Union by the end of 2024.
The policy, which aims to cut down on electronic waste, may have an impact on Apple products like the iPhone, which continue to use the company’s Lightning charger. The change would allow Samsung and Apple devices to share a charger.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, gave the regulation its blessing before it easily passed the European Parliament on Tuesday. Before it becomes law, it must first be approved by the European Council, which is made up of EU government representatives.
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Despite the fact that many newer Apple products, such as MacBooks and iPads, have a Type-C port, the company is concerned that the new rule will stifle innovation.
According to the European Parliament, unused and discarded chargers generate approximately 11,000 metric tonnes of waste in Europe each year.
“This future-proof law allows for the development of innovative charging solutions in the future, and it will benefit everyone — from frustrated customers to our vulnerable environment,” European Parliamentarian Alex Agius Saliba said in a press release.
