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The dispute over standardized charging connections in the European Union is entering a new round. The EU Commission has now officially put the issue on its own agenda.
At the beginning of January, the European Parliament Discussion about uniform chargers Last week, Apple to speak and defended the Lightning port. But the EU now seems to be aiming for regulation – this year. The European Commission has issued a press release presented its own work programme for 2020 – including the standardisation of chargers and connections. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, explains:
The new Commission will act decisively to address the challenges of our time and find appropriate solutions to climate change, digitalisation and migration. We are determined to deliver concrete results on the European Green Deal and enhance the opportunities that the digital transformation can offer European citizens and businesses. This work programme is an important contribution to a Union that wants to achieve more.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
“Apple should include an adapter”
The roadmap calls for the issue of standardized chargers to be addressed in the third quarter of 2020. In the wake of this announcement, CSU MEP Markus Ferber also posted on his own website. He again criticized Apple's "blocking stance" and put forward a suggestion: a new adapter.
For almost ten years, the EU has been trying to get device manufacturers to voluntarily develop a uniform standard for charging plugs. Old charging cables can then be reused more often, which means less electronic waste.
CSU MEP, Markus Ferber
Ferber then goes on to criticize Apple’s recent statement on the subject.
However, individual providers such as Apple have no interest in a common model. I do not accept the argument that this would hinder innovation. Anyone who refuses to accept a uniform standard for chargers is only concerned about their business model.
CSU MEP, Markus Ferber
But that's not all. The CSU MEP made a suggestion at the same time.
Lightning to USB-C adapter does not yet exist
As a temporary solution, Apple should provide a free adapter. This is innovative and would allow every cell phone user to use all cables - a positive achievement for consumers and the environment.
CSU MEP, Markus Ferber
If Ferber has his way, Apple would have to ship iPhones with a standard charging cable and charger in the future and include an additional adapter that allows the connection between the cable and the iPhone - until the Lightning port is completely removed. Such an adapter does not currently exist and would therefore have to be developed first. Apart from that, the idea of bringing an adapter into play does not seem particularly effective when it comes to reducing electronic waste, does it?! (Photo by vladek / Bigstockphoto)
