The European Commission proposed that all manufacturers of telephones, tablets, cameras, headphones, etc., create a universal charger in order to reduce waste, encouraging consumers to reuse existing chargers when buying a new device.
According to the European Commission, EU citizens own an average of three mobile phone chargers, but 38% of consumers have not been able to charge their phone at least once because they did not have the right charger in hand.
"This is an important victory for our consumers and our environment and in line with our green and digital ambitions," said EU chief technology officer Margrethe Vestager.
The EU proposal states that all smartphones sold in the EU must have a USB-C charger. The same charging port should be used by devices such as tablets, cameras, headphones and portable speakers.
It will take years for the rule to take effect, although it seems a hindrance for Apple, which uses its own charging port, the Lightning type. Apple said it would continue to "engage with stakeholders to help find a solution that protects the interests of the consumer."
However, the company said it was "concerned that strict regulation would affect innovation, rather than encourage it," which "would hurt consumers in Europe and around the world."
