The EU wants to introduce the universal charger for almost all gadgets by law

The European Union wants to make life easier for consumers in Europe, and this could affect Apple’s business and products.

The EU wants all phones, but also other gadgets such as tablets, cameras, headphones or portable consoles to use the same USB-C charging port.

Many of these products are loaded like this, but not all, and a few years ago you had to have several types of cables at hand for different functions and gadgets.

The USB-C implementation is beneficial because such a cable could be used for faster charging of the device, but also for a fast data transfer.

Margrethe Vestager, executive vice president for the European Commission’s strategy for Europe, said the decision to ask manufacturers to make universal chargers came after companies failed to find a solution.

“European consumers have long been frustrated by the incompatible chargers that accumulate in their drawers. We have given the industry enough time to come up with its own solutions, now is the time for legislative action for a common charger. This is an important gain for our consumers and our environment and in line with our ecological and digital ambitions, ”said Margrethe Vestager.

Apple is a clear target here, as the company still uses Lightning cables on its phones. This proposal will have to be adopted by the European Parliament and the EU Council. If it passes, industry producers will have two years to adapt to the new regulations.

This means that in the coming years Apple will have to switch to charging via USB-C port or give up charging completely on the wire and use it only wirelessly.