What exactly does the European Union say about whether Apple should include a charger in new Macs?

The new MacBook Pro M5 does not come with a charger. It makes sense that the controversy has erupted, and although it affects European users, many expect Apple… or the European Union to be blamed. The truth is that Apple may have been the first to use this practice on hardware like laptops (which have different charging requirements than the iPhone), but it certainly won’t be the only one.

Although the new Macs do not come with a charger, Apple has reduced the price of the hardware by around 100 euros, taking into account that The official charger costs about 65 euros.the truth is that, in addition to having to buy a new one, users benefit in terms of price. Leaving aside the question of whether it is more convenient to include a charger in the box, besides its price, the truth is that although Apple does not say it directly, everything is related to European regulations, but not in the way that many believe.

The reality is that The European Union does not force Apple or any manufacturer to remove the charger from the box. Companies can make all the excuses they want about sustainability, but community guidelines are very clear about companies’ obligations in this regard.

It’s all about USB-C. The European Union requires all new products entering the common market to offer payment under this standard.but this does not limit it: if a manufacturer, as in the case of Apple, wants to include an alternative system (in this case MagSafe), it can do so as long as it offers USB-C:

The use of other sockets is not prohibited if the covered radio devices are also equipped with a USB type C socket described in EN IEC62680-1-3 (as provided in Annex I bis).

And on what devices?

• mobile phones,
• tablets and e-readers,
• digital cameras and game consoles,
• headphones, in-ear headphones and portable speakers,
• wireless mice and keyboards,
• portable navigation systems.

And what is important to us: in everything laptops (as is the case with MacBook Pro) 40 months after the Directive comes into force.

Apple doesn’t need to remove the charger. And don’t turn it on

This brings us to our next point. Whether or not to include the charger (brick) in the box. Europe does not force manufacturers to ensure that their products do not include a charger. Just that they are USB-C, that they comply with the specifications required by the provisions of the European Union Radio Equipment Directive 2022/2380 (RED), and that the box clearly states whether the charger is included or not. It is only required that the user has the option to buy the product with or without a charger.:

When an economic operator offers consumers and other end users the opportunity to purchase covered radio equipment together with a charger (external power source), also must offer them the opportunity to purchase the specified radio equipment without a charger. This way, consumers will be able to purchase a new electronic device without a new charger.

Economic operators must ensure that information about whether a charger is provided with covered radio equipment is displayed graphically using an accessible and understandable pictogram.

Moreover, to avoid confusion, the European Union has a fairly well explained Q&A document with various aspects of regulation for users and economic agents to avoid any confusion.

So no, the Union does not force Apple to include the charger or not, In fact, this is left to the discretion of the manufacturer if the user is well informed. Apple decided not to include it and lower the price of the product, it’s their option and there will be voices that think it’s bad and others think it’s good. But the company follows the rules: it offers the user the option during the purchase process, quite clearly, in addition to indicating the charging needs of the device, as required by the EU:

Another question is whether you will charge for the charger or not.