Apple iPhone and other devices may have to use the same chargers after EU lawmakers approve rule

European lawmakers connected Tuesday approved a caller instrumentality that would necessitate physics devices to usage a communal charger.

The European Parliament approved the regularisation which, if passed, volition mean each mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold successful the European Union indispensable beryllium equipped with a USB Type-C charging larboard by the extremity of 2024.

That would impact companies similar Apple and others that presently don't usage USB Type-C. Apple's iPhone uses its proprietary Lightening charger. In theory, Apple would request to see the communal charging benignant if it were to merchantability its iPhones successful the EU.

Apple's newer iPads and MacBooks are already equipped with USB-C ports.

Apple was not instantly disposable for remark erstwhile contacted by CNBC.

The charging rules, which person been much than 10 years successful the making, are presently going done the EU legislative process truthful person not yet travel into effect.

The European Commission, the EU's enforcement arm, agreed connected the authorities successful June. Now the European Parliament has fixed it the greenish light. It is present up to the European Council, which is made up of representatives of governments of EU countries, to springiness it a last support earlier it becomes law.

EU lawmakers reason the rules volition trim wastage arsenic consumers bash not request to bargain a caller charger each clip they acquisition a device. The EU said that this volition trim accumulation and the disposal of caller chargers.

If the instrumentality is passed, successful theory, consumers would beryllium capable to usage a Samsung USB Type-C charger to complaint their compatible iPhone.

"This future-proof instrumentality allows for the improvement of innovative charging solutions successful the future, and it volition payment everyone - from frustrated consumers to our susceptible environment," Alex Agius Saliba, a subordinate of European Parliament, said successful a property release.