Tough news for Apple as EU makes USB-C common charging port

[UK Sentinel]

Commissioner to device makers: ‘We’re not forcing anybody to enter the internal market, but if they want to do so, they must comply,

Apple will have to redesign its phones to include a USB-C charging port in iPhones etc. it sells into Europe by 2024 after an EU amendment made USB-C the common standard across a range of devices.

In a live press conference, the rapporteur on the issue, Maltese MP Alex Agius Saliba, said: “This is a rule which will apply to everyone. Now it’s no more a Memorandum of Understanding and having all the leeway that [Apple] had during the past 10 years – basically to not abide by this MoU – which was abided by the majority of manufacturers. So yes, Apple has to abide.”

The single charging solution will be implemented as part of the amended Radio Equipment Directive, nine months after the legislative proposal was first tabled in September 2021.

Under the new rules, manufacturers wishing to sell smartphones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video game consoles, and portable speakers (charged via wired cable) in the single market will have to ensure they are equipped with a USB Type-C port.

Read more: https://www.theregister.com/2022/06/07/eu_usb_c_common_charger/

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[UK Sentinel]

MSN.com reports that Britain will refuse to fall in line with new EU rules on having a single charger that works across all mobile phones.

The Government said it was not “currently considering” matching EU legislation for a common phone charger for devices such as smartphones, tablets, portable speakers and, eventually, laptops.

That stance means that Apple iPhone chargers will be banned in Northern Ireland but not in the rest of the UK, because of the Brexit treaty that created the Irish Sea border.

The Northern Ireland Protocol means the province continues to follow some Single Market rules, including the Radio Equipment Directive, to prevent the need for a hard Irish border.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/britain-refuses-to-join-eu-in-ban-on-iphone-chargers/ar-AAYekL8?bk=1&bk=1&ocid=msedgntp&cvid=3986f05aec5849d1886c1b71d017dabc

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[dodgydrains]

Whether the UK decides to match the legislation or not, this change will happen in the UK.   Major manufacturers will not waste money in making separate device variants for EU and UK.  This is excellent news for consumers.

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[UK Sentinel]

Agreed, Luckily iPad Air 2020 and others already have the USB-C fitted, this new ruling will mainly effect Apple’s iPhone brand.

Apple do have a tendency to do there own thing, at there own pace,  so will be interesting to see if Apple are compliant, but whether EU or Apple are willing to play the long game will be an interesting scenario to watch.

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