l’European Union continues with the proposal for the single connector Once the directive is adopted, manufacturers are obliged to use it USB-C standard on all smartphones Needless to say, the novelty will practically only impact Apple’s iPhones, the only ones to use the Lightning standard.
Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee adopted its final position on the proposed directive by 43 votes to 2. With this guideline the EU aims to reduce waste related to technology industry and, in particular, to reduce the consumption of natural resources.
In addition to imposing USB-C input on all devices – smartphones and tablets -, the proposal will new labeling systemdesigned to give consumers simple and immediate information about how to charge and the possible placement of the charger in the package.
The novelty concerns not only smartphones, but all small and medium-sized technological products: digital cameras, headphones, accessories for consoles, portable speakers and so on. The EU only has exceptions for ultra-compact devices, such as smartbands and smartwatches.
MEPs also asked the Commission to approve a plan to establish a minimum standard for interoperability, including for wireless charging, by 2026.
More than half a billion adapters for portable devices are shipped to Europe every year, generating between 11,000 and 13,000 tons of e-waste. The proposal will strengthen respect for the environment, encourage the reuse of old accessories and enable both consumers and businesses to save money
said the draftsman of the proposal Alex Agius Saliba, who also added that Europe could adopt similar rules for laptops in the future as well.
Source: Lega Nerd
