Since the introduction of USB-C to electronic devices a few years ago, the open standard has taken over much of the digital hardware industry, with most devices carrying at least a single USB-C port, yet the company that makes the world’s best-selling mobile phone doesn’t appear to bother integrating the open standard. In order to tackle this issue, the European Commission, the executive branch of the EU, has proposed a plan to make USB-C the common port for all in a press release on Thursday, September 23rd.
Background
In 2014, the EU Parliament had passed the original Radio Equipment Directive, which called an effort to develop a new common charger, there are now about three main types of mobile phone chargers on the market, down from more than 30 previously.
On September 23rd, the European Commission formally announced that they would be revisiting the Radio Equipment Directive. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age, said: “We gave industry plenty of time to come up with their own solutions, now time is ripe for legislative action for a common charger.”
The proposed legislation would mandate the USB-C standard to be the common port, allowing consumers to charge their devices with the same USB-C charger, regardless of the brand of the device. Besides, the proposal seeks to harmonize fast charging technologies, solving the issue with proprietary charging standards that had bugged USB-C for years. Furthermore, the proposal intends to unbundle the sale of a charger from the sale of an electronic device, as well as to compel manufacturers to disclose relevant information on the chargers.
However, the proposal only applies to wired chargers and not wireless charging, indicating that a gadget must have a USB-C port if it is charged through a wired connection. There is no requirement for the gadget to have a USB-C connector if it would solely be charged wirelessly.
A blow to Apple
Apple, the stubborn holdout refusing to get rid of the proprietary Lightning connector on their mobile phones and tablets, has pushed back against the proposal. In a statement to Reuters, the company said: “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.”
EU Commissioner Thierry Breton dismissed the criticism as old refrains: “I have known these companies for years. Every time we put (forward) a proposal, they start to say 'oh, it will be against innovation'. No, it's not against innovation, it's not against anyone. Like everything the Commission does, it's for consumers.”
I strongly agree with the Commissioner here, the proposal is not about hindering innovation, but rather it is about making people’s lives easier. A common port eliminates the need to carry several chargers for various devices, instead, a single USB-C charger does it all. As someone who relies on digital devices that use various connectors on a daily basis, a common port would honestly be a game changer for me.
Money isn’t out of the equation either, as Lightning is proprietary, Apple takes a cut on each digital accessory carrying the Lightning connector through its MFi Licensing Program, bringing hundreds of thousands if not millions of revenue every year for the company.
Conclusion
I don’t think the proposed directive would eventually bring a significant impact on Apple. After all, it may be a number of years before the proposals come into effect, the proposal for a revised Radio Equipment Directive will first have to be adopted by the European Parliament. Then, a transition period of 24 months from the date of adoption will give Apple ample time to adapt the change.
It's also worth noting that there have previously been numerous credible reports that Apple is considering to remove the charging port completely in future iPhone models, instead relying on wireless charging with MagSafe, which the proposed directive does not set specific requirements for.