The company warned that mandating its adoption of a universal charger would “stifle innovation” as well as generate “an unprecedented amount of electronic waste” and inconvenience millions of individuals.

The European Union has reached a provisional agreement that will effectively compel Apple to change the charging port on its smaller electronic devices.

The European Commission published an 18-page directive last year mandating that all electronic devices use the same USB-C charging port.

According to the EU, the move will reduce electronic clutter and waste because consumers will no longer be required to purchase a new charging cable with every new device.

However, Apple’s iPhone and AirPod devices, along with many others, use Apple’s proprietary “Lightning” port to connect and charge. Under the new rules, these devices must be redesigned by autumn 2024 or they will no longer be legal to sell in the EU.

Analysts have speculated that Apple may switch all of its devices to USB-C instead of selling different versions in the European Union.

In 2018, an unsuccessful attempt to implement a standard charging port across the bloc was made.

The company cautioned that mandating its use of a universal charger would “stifle innovation” as well as generate “an unprecedented amount of electronic waste” and inconvenience millions of individuals.

An estimated 51,000 tonnes of electronic waste are produced annually by old chargers, and the EU believes that a “one size fits all” approach would make customers’ lives easier and benefit the environment.

“All wired-rechargeable mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles, and portable speakers must be equipped with a USB Type-C port,” according to a statement from the European Parliament.

What is the background?

In 2009, Apple, Nokia, and Samsung signed a voluntary pledge to make their chargers compatible with the micro-USB standard.

While others adopted micro-USB, Apple introduced its Lightning port in 2012 and sold a micro-USB adaptor in its place.

Some phone manufacturers have now adopted USB-C, which provides faster charging than micro-USB.

However, Apple only implemented USB-C on the iPad Pro and MacBook laptops, so the company may be disproportionately affected by the changes.

Apple has stated, “We do not feel there is a need for regulation given that the industry is currently transitioning to the use of USB Type-C through a connector or cable assembly.”

“This includes the USB-C power adaptor from Apple, which is compatible with all iPhone and iPad devices.

This method is more economical and convenient for consumers, permits charging for a wide variety of portable electronic devices, encourages people to reuse their chargers, and allows for innovation.