EU lawmakers snub Apple's pleas, overwhelmingly vote to push for charging cable standard
The European Parliament in a landslide vote on Thursday called on the EU Commission to adopt rules that would establish a common charger standard for mobile devices, guidelines Apple argues would stifle innovation and create waste.
EU lawmakers voted 582-40 in favor of a resolution to spur action by the Commission on a single charging solution for smartphones. As noted by Reuters, the Commission, which drafts EU laws and acts as the body's executive branch, has been working toward a common charger for more than a decade.
The measure passed today calls for the adoption of an act relating to charger standardization and "harmonization" first introduced in 2014 or, in its place, the introduction of a similar legislative measure. Lawmakers call for a decision by July.
According to Parliament, there is now "an urgent need for EU regulatory action to reduce electronic waste, empower consumers to make sustainable choices, and allow them to fully participate in an efficient and well-functioning internal market."
Voluntary agreements between some tech companies have significantly decreased the number of charger types in circulation, but a common standard is elusive, the resolution notes. As such, consumers are faced with different types of chargers across the market and are sometimes forced to buy new chargers with each new device. Wireless chargers could be a solution, but lawmakers urge the Commission to be mindful of fragmentation and ensure that adopted standards work across multiple devices.
At its heart, the resolution is designed to cut down on e-waste. In 2016, Europe generated 12.3 million metric tons of e-waste, equivalent to an average of 16.6 kilograms per inhabitant. A common charger would relieve some of that burden, lawmakers say.
Shifting to a single standard would impact companies that utilize proprietary technology, with Apple being a particularly vulnerable target given its vast installed user base and reliance on the Lightning protocol. During an earnings conference call this week the company said it has more than 1.5 billion active devices in use around the world, a large percentage of which -- likely well above 900 million -- are iPhones.
Last week, Apple argued against the EU initiative, saying a move toward a common charger would "stifle innovation" and, ironically, result in more e-waste as existing iOS device users transition to a standard like USB-C.
"We believe regulation that forces conformity across the type of connector built into all smartphone stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, and would harm consumers in Europe and the economy as a whole," Apple said in a statement. "We hope the Commission will continue to seek a solution that does not restrict the industry's ability to innovate and bring exciting new technology to customers."
The European Parliament appears to directly address Apple's take in the resolution passed today, which reads, "[ ... ] the use of wireless charging technology entails additional potential benefits such as mitigating e-waste; highlights that many mobile telephones already use wireless charging methods and that fragmentation in this area should be avoided; calls, therefore, on the Commission to take measures to best ensure the interoperability of different wireless chargers with different mobile radio equipment."
EU lawmakers voted 582-40 in favor of a resolution to spur action by the Commission on a single charging solution for smartphones. As noted by Reuters, the Commission, which drafts EU laws and acts as the body's executive branch, has been working toward a common charger for more than a decade.
The measure passed today calls for the adoption of an act relating to charger standardization and "harmonization" first introduced in 2014 or, in its place, the introduction of a similar legislative measure. Lawmakers call for a decision by July.
According to Parliament, there is now "an urgent need for EU regulatory action to reduce electronic waste, empower consumers to make sustainable choices, and allow them to fully participate in an efficient and well-functioning internal market."
Voluntary agreements between some tech companies have significantly decreased the number of charger types in circulation, but a common standard is elusive, the resolution notes. As such, consumers are faced with different types of chargers across the market and are sometimes forced to buy new chargers with each new device. Wireless chargers could be a solution, but lawmakers urge the Commission to be mindful of fragmentation and ensure that adopted standards work across multiple devices.
At its heart, the resolution is designed to cut down on e-waste. In 2016, Europe generated 12.3 million metric tons of e-waste, equivalent to an average of 16.6 kilograms per inhabitant. A common charger would relieve some of that burden, lawmakers say.
Shifting to a single standard would impact companies that utilize proprietary technology, with Apple being a particularly vulnerable target given its vast installed user base and reliance on the Lightning protocol. During an earnings conference call this week the company said it has more than 1.5 billion active devices in use around the world, a large percentage of which -- likely well above 900 million -- are iPhones.
Last week, Apple argued against the EU initiative, saying a move toward a common charger would "stifle innovation" and, ironically, result in more e-waste as existing iOS device users transition to a standard like USB-C.
"We believe regulation that forces conformity across the type of connector built into all smartphone stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, and would harm consumers in Europe and the economy as a whole," Apple said in a statement. "We hope the Commission will continue to seek a solution that does not restrict the industry's ability to innovate and bring exciting new technology to customers."
The European Parliament appears to directly address Apple's take in the resolution passed today, which reads, "[ ... ] the use of wireless charging technology entails additional potential benefits such as mitigating e-waste; highlights that many mobile telephones already use wireless charging methods and that fragmentation in this area should be avoided; calls, therefore, on the Commission to take measures to best ensure the interoperability of different wireless chargers with different mobile radio equipment."
Comments
I'm not seeing how Apple's Lightning standard, introduced in September 2012 and already ubiquitous, as being the e-waste problem that the EU sees. Perhaps the best solution is USB-C with a sunset provision in a few years, but even then, I'm not seeing this as beneficial unless the law also forces manufacturers to leave out cable and charger entirely phone phone packaging, making it customer optional.
I think the Lightning connector is superior for a mobile device than even USBc. Lightning is durable, very solid, and not prone to being damaged, whereas USBc - and the female port - is a bit more delicate.
Go from some e-waste to power waste....great!
Why can't the EU standardize the common outlets? I get a PSU and it comes with one adaptor for the US and 5 others for EU and Asia (?)
The new standard can’t just be USBc because it’s inferior to Lightning.
They’ll take 5-10 years to come up with USBd and by that time it will be irrelevant, because most mobile devices will be wireless.
The bigger problem will be laptop charging. Will PCs (workstations) share the same cable? That’s a lot of power going through them... I wonder how long cables will last.
Lamps, clocks, etc. Are we going to have a global standard wall jack?
Seems like the EU is overreaching... even if the idea has merit.
Speaking of adapters, why would Apple not be “allowed” to ship all EU-bound devices with a “EU standard” to Lightning adapter? I always despise having to use clumsy power plug adapters to convert the rather elegant North American plugs on my computers and devices to plug into the hugeass wonky monster plugs used in most (but not all) European and Asian countries. One of the pleasures of returning home from an overseas trip is being able to use a “normal” power plugs again, ones that plug into aesthetically pleasing and surprised-face looking wall outlets, versus massive plugs that also function as bludgeoning weapons and slot into ugly wall tunnels.
Weird conspiracy theories, dudes.
I would be ok with that, and I’ll be ok with the large hit that it takes on the stock price in the short term. My shares would be just fine with that. Sometimes you just have to take a stand against evil and do what’s right.
Congrats to the smart brits who have left those clowns! Apple can continue to do business as usual in the UK, and I suggest that all the rest can go pound sound. I would be ok if the entire EU switched to using only Android phones. The EU is not needed and is not relevant in the big scheme of things.
I agree there are plenty of products that are overpackaged. But as long as it's 100% recyclable (by kerbside collections) then I don't think there's an issue. What is stupid are the cables/wall warts that come in their own pointless little plastic bag with tie-wraps for the cable. Totally unnecessary.
While the US style plugs may be "elegant", they're actually pretty crap - especially the two prong no earth ones. If you stand on the cable near the plug, the prongs can snap off and leave live prongs stuck out. The sockets quickly wear out so that wall warts won't stay in the socket, and just drop out on the floor. Most sockets aren't phased, so live-neutral reverse is possible, and also they aren't usually earthed. The 110VAC supply is less efficient too because there's more power drop in the cables due to higher current, so you need thicker cables to counter that. The British BS1363 plugs are pretty well designed, they are shaped as they are so that if the cable is pulled out, the live is the first to get pulled out, followed by neutral and finally earth. They have a longer earth pin so that engages first, and opens shutters so fingers can't get inside. The sockets are almost universally switched, so you can leave something plugged in and turn it off - almost negating the wear issue you get with US sockets. They're also fused so that a fault in the device won't melt the cable.
But in any case - this is the EU overreaching again. This is pretty much solely to target Apple, as most phones already use USB-C. Legislation on this really isn't necessary, everyone knows USB B micro is utter junk and manufacturers are happily moving away from it.
the people who will pay the price are European consumers. If they don’t like it, vote different. If they do like it, then enjoy.
Absolutely incredible — that's 28 European countries and over 500 million people (or 7% of the world population) you're talking about. You can't possibly be serious.
Apple’s chargers are usb, the charger is standard. What is the wailing about from all corners. nothing is going to change.