EU Commission Pushes Charger Standardization Law
Direct Blow to Apple, Which Has Stuck to Lightning Cables
Apple Spokesperson Criticizes, "Global Consumer Harm"
"iPhone Models Supporting Only Wireless Charging May Be Released"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The European Union (EU) has decided to standardize the charging port for all mobile devices sold within the region, including smartphones, to USB-C cables, which is expected to deal a direct blow to Apple, which has insisted on using its own proprietary charging standard.
On the 23rd (local time), the European Commission (EC), the executive branch of the EU, proposed legislation to fix the charging cable standard for all smartphones to USB-C.
The EC aims to pass the bill next year and plans to implement the law after a two-year grace period.
The EC explained that the goal of this legislation is to reduce unnecessary waste and enhance consumer convenience.
According to a 2019 survey conducted by the EC, only 29% of smartphones sold within the EU used USB-C. Devices using USB-B accounted for half of the total, while products using Lightning cables made up 21%.
As the number of devices using different cables increased, the EC decided to push for charger standardization legislation to unify them under a single standard.
Margrethe Vestager, the EC Commissioner for Competition, stated in a press release, "European consumers have long been inconvenienced by the accumulation of incompatible chargers," emphasizing that "(the push for charger standardization) benefits both consumers and the environment."
In fact, according to the EC, approximately 11,000 tons of charging cables are discarded annually.
Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for Internal Market, also stressed, "As more devices are released, incompatible chargers increase as well," adding, "Now we are trying to put an end to this problem."
Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight, evaluated, "Unifying to a single charging standard is beneficial for consumers."
There are predictions that Apple, which has used its own proprietary charging cables exclusively, will be the most affected by this legislation.
Currently, Android smartphone manufacturers such as Samsung and Huawei primarily use USB-C cables. In contrast, Apple has used only 'Lightning' cables as charging cables for all its products, including iPhones and MacBooks.
An Apple spokesperson criticized, "We prioritize customer experience and innovation," adding, "The move to standardize chargers to a single type will stifle innovation. This will harm consumers not only in Europe but worldwide."
Apple also emphasized its commitment to making all its products carbon-neutral by 2030 and actively refuted the EU's environmental pollution concerns.
Nonetheless, if the EC pushes forward with the charger standardization law, it is expected that Apple will have no choice but to abandon the Lightning cable it has long maintained and switch to USB-C.
Some MacBook models and the latest iPad models already support USB-C, so there is a high possibility that USB-C will be applied to future new products.
Analyst Wood predicted, "Ultimately, Apple will release products that support USB-C."
Some speculate that Apple might eliminate the charging port entirely and release iPhones that support only wireless charging to reduce costs.
The IT media outlet The Verge reported, "Wireless charging is gaining popularity," and noted, "Rumors are spreading that Apple will release iPhones relying solely on wireless charging without a Lightning port."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
