The European Union agreed that all mobile phones and tablets should have a common charger, the USB-C type.
In September 2021, 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.
"By the autumn of 2024, USB Type-C will become a common charger for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the EU," the European Parliament said in a statement.
This decision was certainly not welcomed by Apple, a company that uses its own charging port, the "Lightning" type. When first proposed, Apple said it would continue to "engage with stakeholders to help find a solution that protects the interests of the consumer," but stressed that "it is concerned that strict regulation will to influence innovation, rather than encourage it, "which" will "hurt consumers in Europe and around the world."
