EU's proposal forces companies to make fast-charging standards interoperable and “unbundles” charger sales; if adopted, companies will have 24 months to comply

With the aim of reducing e-waste — The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union …

The Verge 2021-09-24 Jon Porter

Context & Ripple Effects

The Commission paired the charging proposal with its USB-C mandate for mobile devices, which identified Apple as the principal holdout. Together, the measures target both the physical connector and the charging ecosystem around it.

Related coverage shows the proposal later became a lawmakers' agreement on USB-C requirements and then entered into force with rules covering USB-C, fast charging, and charger unbundling.

First-order effects

Device makers face a single EU compliance track for compatible fast charging and separately sold charging bricks, rather than treating the charger as an automatic in-box accessory.
Apple faces added pressure to align its device charging approach with the EU's common-standard framework, not just the connector requirement.

Second-order effects

Accessory sellers gain a clearer standalone market for chargers, while device makers must compete for buyers without relying as heavily on a bundled power brick.
The Commission's combined approach makes proprietary charging behavior a regulatory issue alongside proprietary ports, narrowing the room for differentiated charging ecosystems in EU-bound products.

Third-order effects

If this model persists, EU product rules will shift competition away from hardware lock-in and toward device features, software, and service ecosystems that remain outside the common charging standard.
Common charging rules create a precedent for regulators to treat interoperability and waste reduction as linked product-design requirements across consumer electronics.

The trend: EU electronics policy is using interoperability and unbundling to reduce accessory lock-in and make charging hardware more reusable across devices.

Discussion

@jeffnolan Jeff Nolan on x
this is a power play on Apple, straight up. Note that the proposed rules do nothing to address the thousands of devices that people in the EU buy that use micro-USB. It applies to phones... and what phone company has a non-USB cable? Hell they don't even include chargers anymore …
@mkbhd Marques Brownlee on x
The EU Proposes Mandatory USB-C on all devices, including iPhones ...but this covers only devices using wired, not wireless chargers. And companies have 2 years to comply That's just enough time for Apple to completely drop the port and go all Magsafe 🙃 https://www.theverge.com/.…
@20thcenturymarc Marc Burrows on x
Would anyone be interested in buying *counts* 7,426 micro USB cables of varying lengths and build quality? https://twitter.com/...
@stroughtonsmith Steve Troughton-Smith on x
Pretty timely piece of news! To me, this pretty much confirms 1) future iPhones will be port-less, and 2) that Lightning will be replaced with a 60.5GHz wireless USB-substitute through a MagSafe-like attachment. I'm surprised this was added to Apple Watch first? iPhone teardown? …
@slightlylate Alex Russell on x
The quote from Apple here is *wild*. It hasn't “innovated” on connectors for iOS since Lightning, which was introduced nearly a decade ago and has been a rent-extraction vehicle since at least '15 when the MBP got USB-C. https://www.theverge.com/...
@soonergrunt @soonergrunt on x
When the current MacBooks use Thunderbird 3 (which uses USB-C as a form-factor) and are USB-C compatible, I don't know why Apple would do this and not adopt USB-C across the board on the iPhones too, except to be dicks. Wireless charging is very power wasteful. https://twitter.co…
@chrisbhoffman Chris Hoffman on x
Apple will just drop wired charging entirely, and all the people with only Lightning chargers will have to buy new wireless chargers. Doesn't seem like a good solution to e-waste. https://twitter.com/...
@aapltree Aapl Tree on x
Didn't they in their infinite(ly dubious) wisdom mandate micro-USB support on all smartphones? THEY DID. https://www.macrumors.com/... I don't care though, USB-C is on iMac mini A15 now after all and it would be FINE on all iPhones (maybe faster external data xfer). I'd deal some…
@fosspatents Florian Mueller on x
Now it would be fun to see some U.S. state legislatures discuss similar laws requiring USB-C chargers. Apple wants state laws on standard-essential patent enforcement, so why not have some state bills on chargers? https://twitter.com/...
@backlon Dieter Bohn on x
Very mixed feelings on this https://t.co/NPgIXawCTz
@mattophobia Matt Collins on x
I'm still quite annoyed that the iPhone 13 STILL uses Lightning, even the fucking ‘Pro’ version. I only charge wirelessly, so it's not a big deal to me but like, they use USB on fucking everything else so why not the damn iPhone, at least the PRO. https://twitter.com/...
@eu_commission @eu_commission on x
Are your chargers piling up in a drawer? We propose a common charger for mobile phones and other similar electronic devices. A single charger will be more convenient for people and will reduce electronic waste. Read more: https://europa.eu/!bVgVXY #DigitalEU https://twitter.com/.…
@benedictevans Benedict Evans on x
This is a profoundly stupid way to approach product design and standardisation. What happens in 5 years when someone wants to use a better connector? What if they'd picked USB 3 five years ago? https://twitter.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
BREAKING: the EU is planning to force Apple and other smartphone makers to use USB-C ports. “USB-C will be the common port,” says the European Commission in its proposals. There will be a transition period of 2 years once proposals are adopted. Details: https://www.theverge.com/.…
@stevesi Steven Sinofsky on x
Why stop at phones when it comes to USB-C? Why not just replace all connectors with it? Calling Tesla... Also have they even tried to buy the right type of usb-c cable and been successful? Good grief EU!@&€¥*%
@joshuaswingle Joshua Swingle on x
Apple's response: “We remain concerned that strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world.” https://www.reuters.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@ellencarmichael Ellen Carmichael on x
I cannot stop laughing at this. I have a heart for Europe, but this is so stereotypically Europe in a single news story. They didn't design it. They didn't manufacture it. They can't innovate further on it. But they WILL regulate it! 🤣 https://twitter.com/...
@dcseifert Dan Seifert on x
at the end of the day, yes, the iPhone should have a USB-C port on it. it's absurd that it doesn't. but there needs to be more rigor within the USB-C ecosystem itself, it's a mess right now.
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
@Krun53447158 lol I don't think Apple is going to manufacture two different iPhones designs for the EU and US / UK / rest of the world
@leaksapplepro @leaksapplepro on x
This is not happening. Once it gets approved(if it ever is) Apple would have 24 months to do it. By that time iPhone will be portless. iPhones won't have USB-C https://twitter.com/...
@thierrybreton Thierry Breton on x
“Sorry, wrong charger” 🔌 This sentence will soon only evoke bad memories! Smartphones, tablets, portable gaming consoles, headphones... will all be equipped with the same USB port. A #CommonCharger means : 💸 Savings for the consumer 🗑Waste & CO2 reduction https://twitter.com/...
@glen_mcgregor Glen McGregor on x
After travelling on campaign with three different kinds of charge cables, I cannot endorse this more emphatically. USB-C should be the standard. The failure rate of overpriced Lightning cables was abysmal. https://www.bbc.com/...
@film_girl Christina Warren on x
I'm extremely uncomfortable with government agencies dictating what types of ports manufacturers must include on their devices. This stifles innovation and it isn't their place. Imagine if they tried to do this on laptops. We wouldn't have had MagSafe (the first good one)
@heaney555 David Heaney on x
MacBooks: USB-C iPad Pro: USB-C iPad Mini: USB-C Every Android Phone: USB-C Microsoft Surfaces: USB-C Oculus Quests: USB-C Nintendo Switch: USB-C iPad: Lightning iPhone: Lightning
@glennf Glenn Fleishman on x
@waldojaquith Apple introduced FireWire in 1997 as an add-on option, then standard in 1999 onward, and retained it through 2012. So that was a 15-year period, and iPods from 2001-2004 had FireWire and could work with newly introduced Macs with a FW-to-FW cable for 8 more years!
@tnkgrl Myriam Joire on x
@GlennF @gruber This! It's absolutely ludicrous that Apple didn't switch the iPhones to USB Type-C when they switched the iPads over... Especially when we finally have one power and data standard that's as close to universal as possible. Users survived the last switch and will su…
@itselliotgough Elliot Gough on x
*stares at heaving usb cable box* your time is near my child https://twitter.com/...
@reuters @reuters on x
The EU aims to make tech firms adopt a standard charging port for phones, tablets and other gadgets, and that hasn't gone down well with Apple https://www.reuters.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@samifathi_ Sami Fathi on x
Even fitted with a case, the iPhone 13 Pro still fully works with the MagSafe Duo charger. It will still charge as normal and at normal speeds, thanks to MagSafe magnets. There's really nothing to see, but 🤷‍♂️ https://www.macrumors.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@tylerglaiel Tyler Glaiel on x
yes please https://twitter.com/...
@stephenseanford Stephen Ford on x
Literally Apple, “the USB-C is amazing, we use it to charge out new iPad and new MacBook! Lol but not on the iPhone you loser, now we gotta go port-less for some reason. Oops!” https://twitter.com/...
@sippey Michael Sippey on x
Can't wait for Europe to standardize on outlets. https://apnews.com/...
@nytimesbusiness @nytimesbusiness on x
The European Union unveiled plans on Thursday to make USB-C connectors the standard charging port for all electronic devices sold across the bloc — an initiative it says will reduce environmental waste but that is likely to hit Apple the hardest. https://www.nytimes.com/...
@fasterthanlime @fasterthanlime on x
Will Apple waste 45-55% energy efficiency to avoid complying with EU regulations? Stay tuned! https://twitter.com/...
@harrymccracken Harry McCracken on x
Personally, I'd be delighted if there was an iPhone with USB-C. But it kinda does feel like if the EU had been paying attention in the 1980s, we'd all be charging our phones over Centronics ports to this day.* (* I realize this is technically impossible.) https://daringfireball.n…
@sentdex Harrison Kinsley on x
And what happens when USB-C isn't king anymore? Imagine this legislation a few years ago, we'd all be required to have Micro USB ports on everything today. Any stipulations for this to sunset/be revised? Or will people be fighting to finally overturn this in 5 yrs? https://twitte…
@anshelsag Anshel Sag on x
The European union mandating USB-C has literally been a discussion for at least 5 years. Everyone has self-regulated and gotten onboard for the most part, except Apple. I don't really want to hear excuses or complaints. It's for the greater good to have everyone use the same port
@nitinsangwan Nitin Sangwan on x
This single step alone can reduce tonnes of electronic waste! Good move which should be adopted across the globe and such standardization should be there in a lot more products and components. https://apnews.com/...
@film_girl Christina Warren on x
And honestly, we wouldn't even have USB-C if the EU had deemed micro or mini USB to be sufficient.
@soumikroy Soumik Roy on x
Exclusive: The United States and European Union plan to take a more unified approach to limit the growing market power of Big Tech companies, such as Google, Facebook, Apple and Amazon according to a draft memo seen by Reuters https://www.reuters.com/... 1/5 ...
@jonathanlanday Jonathan Landay on x
EXCLUSIVE The United States and European Union plan to take a more unified approach to limit the growing market power of Big Tech companies, according to a draft memo seen by Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/...
@film_girl Christina Warren on x
The worst thing about mandating a port type is that it will just encourage phone makers to get rid of ports altogether, which for repairability and usability, is frankly worse.
@film_girl Christina Warren on x
I'm going to be unpopular and call this sort of movement by the EU draconian and frankly, bullshit. I understand why well-meaning people think it is a good idea, but I think this is terrible. https://twitter.com/...
@yuusharo @yuusharo on x
@HKilset @film_girl Is it? What happens if a successor connector comes along, perhaps something contactless or port-less, and manufacturers are slow / unwilling to adopt because they need to comply with this ruling? What if a device needs power delivery beyond what USB-C can prov…
@cullend Cullen on x
USB-C is a port that supports like 20 different protocols. Like if you plugged your iPad Pro charger into a Nintendo Switch you'd fry it. This proposal doesn't even fix that
@reneritchie Rene Ritchie on x
I want USB-C (actually TB3) on the iPhone Pro badly, but Lightning made the iPhone 5 possible in 2012, 3 years before USB-C shipped, and I prefer a world where leaps forward aren't stymied by EU myopia or USB Forum stasis. (Or pushed wireless faster, because I'm Galactica...) htt…
@caro_milanesi Carolina Milanesi on x
Not a bad theory considering Apple could have added USB-C with iPhone13 and didn't and all the products they added it too do NOT use wireless charging https://twitter.com/...
@dcseifert Dan Seifert on x
i'm all for standardizing charging cables, but does the EU realize that even within USB-C there are wild differences from cable to cable? a USB-C cable may or may not support any of the following: *Thunderbolt *High wattages (100W) *Video *Fast data speeds
@ihnatko Andy Ihnatko on x
Have I made my point yet about how silly I think your argument about your Unstoppable Freight Train Of Charging Connector Innovation is, Apple? I think so but I doubt that'll change your stance any.
@ihnatko Andy Ihnatko on x
Apple: “The EU's directive on standardized charge connectors would only stifle our company's _insatiable_ pursuit of innovation. It would harm [wipes tear] our users.” Yeah, right. Apple's Lightning connector is so behind the times it's still doing Austin Powers impressions.
@evan_greer Evan Greer on x
Hm. I love the idea of forcing Apple to end their absolutely bullshit scam practice of locking people into proprietary chargers they change just to squeeze you for more $$$, but feel a little leary about the idea of governments dictating hardware requirements for phones... https:…
@charlesarthur Charles Arthur on x
Mandating USB-C for phone charging sockets is going to create a fabulous market for little dongles that convert from a USB-C plug to a whateveryourphonetakes plug. I'd imagine Apple will make and sell one. Also, where's the evidence of e-waste caused by the variance?
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Apple can just move to a portless iPhone instead. “A spokesperson for the Commission has confirmed to The Verge that if a device charges only wirelessly, then there is no requirement to integrate a USB-C charging port.” https://www.theverge.com/...
@stroughtonsmith Steve Troughton-Smith on x
“With today's proposal [...], the charging port and fast charging technology will be harmonised: USB-C will become the standard port for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers and handheld videogame consoles.” AirPods too, then?
@stroughtonsmith Steve Troughton-Smith on x
...and wireless charging standards must have wide adoption or be subject to a similar directive, so Apple might not be able to keep its fast-charging iPhone-only. Though I think there's space here for Apple to use Qi for charging and e.g. 60.5GHz wireless data transfer https://tw…
@eu_commission @eu_commission on x
📲 A harmonised charging port (USB-C) ⚡ Harmonised fast charging technology 🔌 Possibility to buy a new device without charger ℹ️ More info on device packaging to see if the charger you have at home is suitable More about what we propose: https://europa.eu/!jCJRmB #DigitalEU https:…
@wongmjane Jane Manchun Wong on x
gonna be interesting to see whether Apple will comply or ditch the port altogether in favor of MagSafe https://twitter.com/...
@jamiebishop123 Jamie Bishop on x
This move would absolutely stifle innovation. It's a move that is so short-sighted with absolutely zero thoughts given to the medium/long term. https://www.bbc.com/...
@starfire2258 Sean Hollister on x
This is simply going to push Apple to wireless charging and a portless iPhone. Letting people charge iPhones from any Android charger or USB-C laptop charger would garner Apple some praise and cut e-waste long term, but it would rather rule its ecosystem with an iron fist. https:…
@jonporty Jon.Porter on x
Important update re: hypothetical portless iPhone https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@economictimes Economic on x
Under the European Commission's proposal, a USB-C connector will become the standard port for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers and handheld video game consoles. Chargers will also be sold separately. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ ...
@s8mb Sam Bowman on x
So we're just stuck with USB-C forever then? What if someone invents a better port, will they still have to include a USB-C port as well? https://twitter.com/...
@pt Parker on x
@stevesi As much as I really wish the iPhone were USB-C, this seems like a very bad idea. We all hate the next port until we have it, then we prefer it.
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Today's EU news doesn't mean Apple HAS to switch to USB-C on future iPhones. The EU's USB-C proposal might give us a portless iPhone instead https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@charlesarthur Charles Arthur on x
And Apple stopped selling chargers with its phones last year - you just get the phone and a charging cable. (USB-C to Lightning, which I recall upset some folk here without a USB-C charger. But USB-A to Lightning charger + port still works.)
@matthew_d_green Matthew Green on x
A future where everything is actually wireless, but you have to click through a modal dialog box every time you charge your phone. https://twitter.com/...
@wwwojtekk Wojtek Kopczuk on x
As much as I dislike Apple as a company, that is just stupid https://twitter.com/...
@pathedger18 Patrick Hedger on x
*whispers* Isn't... isn't wireless charging already universal? https://twitter.com/...
@campuscodi Catalin Cimpanu on x
This needs to be extended to Apple's dumb laptops and desktops, which are a pain to deal with as well https://twitter.com/...
@markerjparker Jessica Parker on x
Plans are “not against innovation” insists @ThierryBreton There have been industry warnings this idea could stifle innovation
@ron_miller Ron Miller on x
Can't wait to see Tim Cook's reaction to this one. https://twitter.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
it's worth noting that the EU's proposals only cover wired chargers, and not wireless ones. Apple could move to an iPhone without ports, as has long been rumored, and I don't *think* they'll be forced to implement USB-C on top
@jonporty Jon.Porter on x
It's unclear to me at this point where this leaves the rumors of a portless iPhone that relies solely on wireless charging. Would Apple be breaking the rules by not including USB-C? Or would it be ok given it's not including a charging port at all?
@jonporty Jon.Porter on x
And yes, this is the device end, not the charging brick end. Though the commission ALSO wants charging bricks to use a common standard (a much easier task given they basically all use USB-A or USB-C at this point). But that proposal will come later
@jonporty Jon.Porter on x
What's interesting is that the commission's proposals don't leave it up to manufacturers to decide. Its press release literally specifies that the port needs to be “USB-C”
@markerjparker Jessica Parker on x
Devices could have *other* ports, as well as USB-C, but a USB-C would be mandatory for e.g. phones, tablets, headphones, digital cameras, portable speakers & handheld video consoles - under the proposals
@markerjparker Jessica Parker on x
He says plans will save consumers money & reduce waste Proposal is to harmonize devices so they can all take USB-C
@markerjparker Jessica Parker on x
Press anno underway on EU proposals for common charger for smartphones, tablets & other electronic devices Commissioner @ThierryBreton says quite a lot chargers “end up in our drawers somewhere” & that something “needed to be done”
@jimpethokoukis James Pethokoukis on x
I was told Europe's comparative advantage was smart tech regulation https://twitter.com/...
@eu_commission @eu_commission on x
With more and more devices, more and more chargers are sold that are not interchangeable or not necessary. We are putting an end to that. With our proposal, you will be able to use a single charger for all these types of portable electronics ↓ #DigitalEU https://twitter.com/...

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