Apple cables could be a thing of the past...
Your iPhone charger may soon be obsolete due to new plans from the European Commission.
Plans are in place to introduce a new law that would cause personal devices to use the same cable across the EU, regardless of brand and make.
The European Council have
backed the proposal, that would ensure that all smartphones, tablets and similar devices use a USB Type-C port for wired charging.
The Council have also proposed that an image should be shown on packaging if a charger is offered with a device, and a label to indicate what charging specifications the device requires.
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The news was welcomed by Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune.
"The delivery of a common phone charger will be more convenient, save money for consumers and reduce electronic waste," Clune said.
"These proposals will significantly reduce the number of chargers in homes and could save €250 million a year on unnecessary charger purchases.
"Electrical and electronic equipment continues to be one of the fastest growing waste streams in the EU.
"Figures suggest that reducing production and disposal of new chargers could reduce electronic waste by thousands of tonnes a year.
"The proposal is currently being considered by the European Parliament where I expect it will get approval in the coming months," she added.
The European Commission has been planning on implementing a common charging solution for mobile phones and similar electronic devices
since 2009.
“European consumers were frustrated long enough about incompatible chargers piling up in their drawers," the European Commission’s Margrethe Vestager said in a statement in September.
"We gave the industry plenty of time to come up with their own solutions, now time is ripe for legislative action for a common charger. This is an important win for our consumers and environment and in line with our green and digital ambitions.”
If the law is passed in the European Parliament, the industry will have two years to adapt to the new standard.
The new law could cause problems for Apple, who continue to use their own-brand Lighting cables to charge their devices.
