There are rumors that Apple wants to limit the speed of uncertified USB-C cables. The EU has now warned that this will not be allowed.

Following rumors that Apple would impose restrictions on uncertified USB-C cables for their new devices, the EU has already informed the company that there will be consequences if they continue to do so.

uniformity law

Last year, the European Parliament agreed legislation mandating a universal charging system for all small and medium-sized electronic devices sold in the EU. The choice fell on a USB-C connection, which will be mandatory for all devices from the end of next year.

Of course, this includes most Apple products. They therefore have until December 2024 to adapt their iconic / infamous Lightning connector. Until then, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 will still appear on the market in principle. And that got the rumor mill rolling a bit back in February.

We’re talking about a chip that confirms the authenticity of Apple’s own USB-C cables, for example with iPads and iPhones. Cables that do not come from Apple are then limited in terms of charging speed or data transfer. This undermines the intended consistency that the EU has in mind with the current regulations.

Apple and the EU

Of course, the rumors remain, but EU Commissioner Thierry Breton has already warned Apple in a letter (which the German Press Agency DPA was able to see) that products using this system are not allowed in the EU. According to the German newspaper Die Zeit, this was also mentioned once during a meeting in March.

However, the law will not come into force until December 2024, so these iPhones 15 and 16 can still be equipped with this chip. The question is whether Apple “dares” to challenge or tease the EU; The relationship between the tech giant and the European institutions has always been a bit fickle.