After the European Commission proposed a legislature to force companies to provide USB Type-C charging for devices that required wired charging in 2021, yesterday a political agreement was reached between the European Parliament and EU Member States on the Commission’s proposal on a common charging solution.
Under this rule, after autumn 2024, all new handheld mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, handheld videogame consoles, headphones, headsets, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, and earbuds will have to be equipped with a USB-C charging port. It said that the deadline for laptops is 2026.
This will force Apple to move from Lightning port with USB-C port, which the company is reportedly working on, so the iPhone launched in 2024 might use a USB Type-C port.
Apple is also said to be testing a USB-C to Lightning adapter so that its new and old products can work together. Apple is also said to move to USB Type-C port for its accessories such as Airpods, Magic Keyboard, Trackpad, Mouse, as well as a MagSafe Battery Pack.
The EU release said:
The agreement reached today also ensures that the common charger solutions can be implemented without delay, especially given the widely available technological solutions and ample time already given to industry to adapt. A transition period of 24 months from official adoption is therefore established to make the common charger a reality for everyone for all categories of products in scope except for laptops which will benefit from 40 months.