In context: Since 2009, the European Commission has been pushing for a common charging solution for mobile devices. Over the past decade, this has reduced the amount of charging standards from over 30 to just three. Afterward imposing new rules on common chargers in 2022, the Commission is now forging ahead with a proposal to mandate USB Type-C equally the standard charging connector on all mobile devices.

Concluding year, the European Commission introduced new regulation that made it mandatory for device manufacturers to prefer a common standard for wired and wireless chargers sold in the region. The move was a big win for consumers and is expected to reduce environmental waste material over time, but regulators aren't stopping there.

Today, the Commission revealed a new proposal for a revised Radio Equipment Directive that would deal with the other end of the cable -- the charging and data transfer port on billions of mobile devices like phones, tablets, cameras, handheld consoles, portable speakers, and more. Every bit y'all'd expect, regulators want all manufacturers to prefer USB Type-C, which has already happened organically to some degree.

The most obvious holdout in this matter is Apple, who continues to sell iPhones equipped with a Lightning port as opposed to USB Type-C. The company did put a USB Blazon-C port on its iPad and Mac products, but accessories similar AirPods and AirPods Pro still utilize a Lightning connector. Even and then, the company was content to omit the charger from the box with new iPhones, and manufacturers similar Samsung and Xiaomi are already copying this beliefs.

If the revised legislation is adopted, companies will take 24 months to comply. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton explained in a statement the proposal doesn't cover wireless chargers, every bit there is "plenty of room for innovation in wireless." Regulators hope to somewhen attain full interoperability on both sides of the cablevision, which would be a boon for consumers.