EU lawmakers reach an agreement on legislation that will mandate USB-C on smartphones and other electronic devices, starting in fall 2024, to reduce e-waste
A major blow to Apple's Lightning port — European Union lawmakers have reached an agreement on legislation that will force … Source: European Parliament .
The VergeJon Porter
Context & Ripple Effects
The agreement advances the European Commission’s earlier proposal for a common USB-C charging standard, which identified Apple as the principal holdout. It turns a policy aimed at reducing charging-related waste into a concrete compliance issue for Apple and the broader device market.
The measure later moved from political agreement to a European Parliament vote backing USB-C requirements, followed by a defined deadline for covered products. That progression matters because it makes port design, accessory support, and charging policies subject to EU-wide enforcement rather than voluntary convergence.
First-order effects
Apple must prepare affected devices sold in the EU to meet the USB-C requirement, putting its Lightning connector directly in the scope of the law.
Manufacturers of the other covered electronics must align wired charging hardware with USB-C on the legislation’s timetable.
Second-order effects
Accessory makers and retailers face a simpler EU charging ecosystem, while Lightning-specific cables and peripherals lose relevance for newly compliant devices.
The EU’s later rules on fast charging and unbundling charging bricks extend the impact beyond the port itself to how manufacturers package and market charging products.
Third-order effects
A regional product rule can reshape hardware specifications across major device makers, making standardized interfaces a more consequential regulatory lever than proprietary connector ecosystems.
If EU enforcement continues to expand across charging practices, product differentiation is likely to shift further from physical connectors toward device features and services.
The trend: The common-charger mandate is part of a broader shift toward EU rules that standardize consumer hardware and constrain proprietary device ecosystems.
We have reached a deal on the common charger! 🔌👏 ✔️mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, digital cameras & more #USBtypeC ✔️harmonised fast-charging technology ✔️unbundling of sale of chargers from the sale of device 🔴 Press conference at 12.30 CEST ➡️ https://multimedia.europarl.eu…
Deal on common charger🔌: reducing hassle for consumers and curbing e-waste By autumn 2024, USB Type-C will become the common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the EU, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed today: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/ ... ht…
the European Parliament has announced that USB-C will be mandatory for phones sold in the EU “by autumn 2024.” It's major blow to Apple's Lightning port https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitter.com/...
The EU has just agreed to make USB-C the #CommonCharger for most devices 🙌🔌 A wise decision - good for people & the planet - backed up by some really weird marketing... 📽️🤔 https://twitter.com/...
The EU is making USB-C the “common charging standard” for all phones, e-readers, tablets and more by autumn 2024. A huge blow for Apple, which has been lobbying against this law for years. Details here: https://www.theverge.com/...
It looks like the EU has now confirmed its rule that any device big enough must contain a USBC port. Hard to see any meaningful consumer benefit, and makes some ideas illegal. For example, you couldn't sell a phone too thin to include one that uses contactless instead.
Given there was a recent report (from Bloomberg no less!) that Apple is working on iPhones with USB-C ports, this might not actually be much of a blow to Apple. https://www.bloomberg.com/...
BREAKING: Deal on 🇪🇺 common charger just made! ⚡️🔌 “Consumers in the EU will finally be able to charge all their devices with the same USB-C charging cable. This will save resources, protect the environment and support consumers.” @anna_cavazzini 🔗 https://www.greens-efa.eu/... h…
Press release ‼️ Deal on common charger: reducing hassle for consumers and curbing e-waste @alexagiussaliba “Today we have made the common charger a reality in Europe!” Read more 👉 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/ ...