Universal charging plug for all smartphones: E.U. proposal

The switch to a standard USB-C cable would represent a blow for U.S. tech giant Apple.

The USB type C charger would be the universal charger under the proposal.

The European Commission on September 23 proposed to mandate USB-C cables as a unified standard for charging technology across the bloc. The proposal sets up a potential clash between the E.U. and Apple, which has so far resisted efforts to impose a universal type of charger.

Why is the E.U. proposing this?

The E.U. has long wanted a standard charger for all data-enabled phones. Brussels says the present situation, in which there are three main charger options, is "inconvenient."

"European consumers have been frustrated long enough about incompatible chargers piling up in their drawers," E.U. Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager said in a statement. "We gave industry plenty of time to come up with their own solutions, now time is ripe for legislative action for a common charger," she said.

Apple handsets use Lightning chargers, while other manufacturers use micro-USB ones. However, USB-C chargers, which are increasingly being used, would be the E.U.'s preferred option. "With more and more devices, more and more chargers are sold that are not interchangeable or not necessary. We are putting an end to that," said the E.U.'s internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton.

The E.U. imposition of the USB-C as a cable standard in such a massive market of 450 million people, could have a decisive effect on the global smartphone market.

How has Apple responded?

Apple already uses USB-C connectors on some of its iPads and laptops, but it insists that legislation to force a universal charger for all mobiles in the European Union is unwarranted. "We remain concerned that strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world," Apple said.

The present range is greatly simplified from 2009, when there were dozens of different types of chargers. The European Commission reached a voluntary agreement with the device industry, which saw a big reduction in cable types. However, Apple has refused to abide by it.

Under the latest proposal, which could still be significantly altered before ratification, smartphone makers would have a 24-month transition period to fall in line. However, Apple says this could still be a major headache for the industry as it could prevent the sale of existing equipment.

rc/rt (Reuters, AFP, AP)