The European Commission wants the sale of chargers to be decoupled from devices, and also propose a harmonised charging port, as per a source.
Apple has said rules forcing connectors to conform to one type could deter innovation and irk consumers
The European Commission will on Thursday present a legislative proposal for a common charger for mobile phones, tablets, and headphones, a person familiar with the matter said - a move likely to affect iPhone maker Apple more than its rivals.
The European Union executive and EU lawmakers have been pushing for a common charger for over a decade, saying it would be better for the environment and more convenient for users.
The Commission wants the sale of chargers to be decoupled from devices, and also propose a harmonised charging port, the person said.
Apple, whose iPhone handsets are charged from its Lightning cable, has said rules forcing connectors to conform to one type could deter innovation, create a mountain of electronic waste, and irk consumers.
Rival Android-based devices are charged using USB-C connectors. Half the chargers sold with mobile phones in 2018 had a USB micro-B connector, while 29 percent had a USB-C connector and 21 percent a Lightning connector, according to a 2019 Commission study.
© Thomson Reuters 2021
For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.