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    European Union to Mandate USB-C in Electronic Devices by the End of 2024

   Josh Centers

   It's finally official. After years of discussion and failed attempts to
   get the industry to standardize, the European Union has mandated that
   new rechargeable electronic devices sold in the EU [1]must have USB-C
   charging ports by the end of 2024. The law applies to mobile phones,
   tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame
   consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable
   navigation systems, and earbuds, and will extend to laptops in early
   2026. The goal of the new law is to encourage more reuse of chargers
   and reduce electronic waste.

   The general assumption is that this legislation will cause Apple to
   redesign iPhones'and iPads, AirPods charging cases, Apple TV Remotes,
   and all other Lightning-based products' to use USB-C instead of
   Lightning. Mark Gurman reported in May 2022 that [2]Apple is already
   testing iPhones with USB-C ports and is pondering an adapter for
   existing Lightning-based accessories. And it's somewhat unlike Apple to
   support three different wired charging technologies: Lightning, USB-C,
   and MagSafe. We don't know if MagSafe will be allowed to continue past
   2026 given that Apple laptops can also charge over USB-C. One thing is
   clear: the rule will not apply to products put on the market before the
   date the rule is applied in each country, so Apple would still be able
   to sell older Lightning-based products even after switching new ones to
   USB-C.

   [3]Read original article

References

   1. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220930IPR41928/long-awaited-common-charger-for-mobile-devices-will-be-a-reality-in-2024
   2. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-13/apple-plans-to-change-iphone-charging-port-to-meet-new-eu-law
   3. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220930IPR41928/long-awaited-common-charger-for-mobile-devices-will-be-a-reality-in-2024

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