And if Apple had its way, a government body wouldn't be directing how its products charge come December 28, 2024, either. In 2009, when Micro USB was crowned the charging connector of choice agreed upon by smartphone makers, Apple went rogue, as reported by Engadget, in favor of its Lightning port. The legislation's publication cements a frustrating countdown for Apple, which has long resisted a move to universal charging. It notes that despite a drop in the variety of charging device types over the years, the EU government remained unsatisfied regarding e-waste production and consumer convenience and is interested in "avoiding fragmentation of the market for charging devices." USB-C eraĪ European universal charger law has been in the works for over a decade and picked up serious steam in September 2021. In April 2026 it will apply to laptops.Īccording to the EU's directive, the legislation "simplifies the use of radio equipment and reduces unnecessary waste and costs" and is "necessary, in particular for the benefit of consumers and other end users." The legislation will first affect smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, earbuds, portable speakers, handheld video game consoles, e-readers, keyboards, mice, and portable navigation systems. The law goes into effect on December 27 and requires compliance by 2024. That means the clock is ticking on Apple's Lightning, the most prominent company resistant to the USB-C takeover.Īs announced by the European Parliament Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection and the Official Journal of the EU's Twitter accounts today and spotted by The Verge, the EU's USB-C legislation is published in the Official Journal. As of December 28, 2024, smartphones, tablets, and numerous other consumer devices that charge over a cable will have to support USB-C charging in order to be sold in the region. USB-C has won the war on charging in the European Union (EU).
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