Today, the European Union has finally passed legislation that will force tech companies like Apple to switch to USB-C on a wide variety of devices. As noted in an official press release, the Council of Europe approved the European Parliament’s Universal Charging Directive today, completing the legislative process that will make the USB-C port mandatory for a wide range of consumer electronic devices, including iPhones and AirPods. year 2024.

The Directive has been officially adopted and should be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. It will take effect 20 days after publication and the rules will take effect exactly 24 months from this date. Products that go on sale before the application date will be exempt from tax and can continue to be sold after this date.

USB-C as a legal “common port” is a world first and is likely to impress Apple as many of its devices commonly use the Lightning connector instead of USB-C. Lawmakers claim this move will reduce e-waste, make products environmentally friendly, and make various devices easier to use.

All new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headsets and headsets, portable game consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, headsets and laptops that can be charged via a wired cable, regardless of manufacturer 100 W Up to , it will have a USB-C port. Exemptions will apply to devices too small to have a USB-C port, such as smartwatches, health trackers, and some sports equipment, but the legislation is expected to expand to other devices over time. Companies will also need to ensure that private labels clearly inform consumers about the charging capabilities of the devices they purchase.

In addition, the EU aims to ensure compatibility of wireless charging solutions as technology evolves over time. The Directive empowers the European Commission to develop empowered actions by the end of 2024 that will force companies to make their individual wireless charging solutions more open and meet interoperability standards, thus preventing fragmentation and reducing costs while helping consumers avoid being dependent on their own charging solutions. It’s unclear whether this will include Apple’s MagSafe charging system for the “iPhone” and AirPods, as it’s based on the Qi wireless charging standard.

And Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman Bloomberg Apple is believed to be testing an “iPhone” version with a USB-C port instead of Lightning. Kuo believes that Apple may move the ‌iPhone to USB-C, starting with the iPhone 15 in 2023, before later porting AirPods and other accessories. This period will allow Apple to convert most of its affected devices to USB-C before the EU directive takes effect.