Apple’s new iPhone to conform to the EU e-waste regulation
Apple’s upcoming iPhone, set to be unveiled on 12 September, is expected to align Apple with a European Union law mandating a common charging connection by December 2024 to benefit consumers and reduce waste.
Apple’s new iPhone, unveiled on 12 September, is expected to feature a USB-C charge point, aligning with a European Union (EU) regulation that mandates a standard charging connection by December 2024.
Currently, Apple uses its proprietary lightning adapter, which sets them apart from competitors. Despite Apple’s initial opposition to the EU rule, most of their latest products, including iPads, already incorporate USB-C. The upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models are anticipated to mark the transition away from exclusive use of lightning cables. Whether this change will be global or specific to the European market alone to align with the EU e-waste policy is unclear.
Why does it matter?
The EU common-charger rule covers various portable electronics, and it is estimated to save consumers up to €250 million and cut 11,000 tonnes of waste annually.
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