When the European Parliament agreed to make USB-C the region’s universal charging standard, it was very clear which firm would be the most impacted by the requirement. Of course, Apple. While Apple already offers USB-C iPad versions, its iPhones still need a lightning connection. In an interview at the Wall Street Journal’s Tech Live event, Apple’s SVP of global marketing Greg Joswiak stated that the tech giant would switch to USB-C ports to comply with EU regulations.
“Clearly, we’ll have to cooperate,” Joswiak said when asked whether Apple is going to USB-C by Joanna Stern, Senior Personal Technology Columnist at the Wall Street Journal. But not before discussing the company’s experience with regulatory compliance, such as making its phones compatible with hearing aids and how it had to develop its own solution since current technology at the time was ineffective.
Joswiak also discussed how, ten years ago, the EU pushed for the introduction of micro-USB. Because the EU was concerned that customers would need several adapters with various connections, Apple designed cables detachable so that people could simply swap them out. The CEO said that the decision enabled over a billion people to continue using their lightning cords rather than discarding them and creating a “bunch of e-waste.”
Apple has previously said that it does not offer power adapters with new iPhones due to environmental considerations. According to the IT giant, doing so would save 861,000 tonnes of metal as well as gasoline since more iPhones can fit in shipping containers. However, not everyone agreed with the company’s reasoning, and Apple has been penalised many times in Brazil for omitting adapters from iPhone packaging.
According to the new EU rule, Apple must provide iPhones and iPads with USB-C connectors to the area by the end of 2024.
