EU demands standardized chargers for devices

The European Parliament has voted for a law requiring all new portable electronic devices to use the same type of charging cable.

The new law requires USB-C to be the single charger standard for all new smartphones, tablets and cameras in the European Union from late 2024. The rules will also apply to laptops from 2026, giving manufacturers more time to adapt.

The policy change will have big implications for United States device manufacturer Apple, which will be forced to change the connector used for its iPhones and other devices in the EU, said Sky News. Analysts say other manufacturers such as Samsung and Huawei could also be impacted.

The reform passed by a majority in Parliament on Tuesday, with 602 votes in favor and 13 against, and member states are now expected to grant approval on Oct 24 before the rule is signed into law.

The Reuters news agency noted that the law is the first of its kind approved anywhere in the world, and said it potentially strengthens the EU's role as a standard-setter on smartphone technology. The AFP news agency said that regulatory changes in the bloc often set global industry norms in what is known as the Brussels Effect.

The Guardian newspaper quoted one technology analyst as saying the vote made it "inevitable" that Apple's new iPhone models will have a USB-C port.

"This is a victory for common sense," said Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight. "Although Apple has a huge installed base of lightning cable-powered devices, the ubiquity of USB-C across all consumer electronics products means that harmonizing on USB-C makes perfect sense."

Apple, which had long fought against the switch, arguing that it would create mountains of electronic waste, would likely now adopt the USB-C port in the United Kingdom and globally, added Wood.

"Irrespective of whether the UK government mandates the move to USB-C or not, UK consumers will get the technology by default. It will make no sense for consumer electronics manufacturers to offer devices with anything else," he said.

DW News reported that some analysts say the ruling will boost the sale of newer Apple products, as consumers will want to buy those latest gadgets with a USB-C connection.

AFP cited EU lawmakers as saying the single charger reform would "simplify the life of Europeans, reduce the mountain of obsolete chargers and reduce costs for consumers".

The European Commission has previously said the rule change would bring consumer savings of at least 200 million euros ($195 million) per year and would cut EU electronic waste.

The rule change has been discussed for years in the EU after iPhone and Android users began complaining about having to constantly switch chargers.