The change would save 250m euros a year
The European Commission has proposed that electronic devices sold in the EU today be equipped with a USB-C input.
The purpose of the change is to limit the accumulation of e-waste. The Commission envisages allowing manufacturers to offer products without a charger. Consumers will be able to choose the type of charger they want and buy it separately, and the compatibility of the chargers will allow them to be used for several electronic devices.
The new requirements will cover smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers and game consoles. If approved by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, the changes will take effect two years after they are adopted.
According to the EC, consumers would save 250m euros a year from the change. The Commission estimates that 420 million portable electronic devices were sold in the EU last year. Every European has three chargers, two of which are constantly used. In a year, European consumers spend 2.4 billion euros on chargers that are not provided by the manufacturer of used electronic devices and accumulate 11,000 tons of electronic waste, according to the data.
Most modern smartphones, tablets and even some laptops have a USB-C port, and it has even appeared in some iPad models. However, Apple still relies on its own interface, although it does not bring any benefits to consumers. However, the company expressed public outrage at the proposed changes, saying the law could stifle innovation, create a lot of e-waste and irritate consumers.
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