E.U. officials agreed on new rules requiring a uniform charging cord for smartphones and other devices
European Union officials agreed Tuesday on new rules requiring a uniform charging cord for smartphones and other devices, a move that would make life easier for consumers fed up with rummaging through a tangle of cables for the right one.
The new rules, which will take effect by fall 2024, mean E.U. consumers will only need to use a common USB Type-C cable for small and medium-sized rechargeable, portable electronic devices. Apple, which did not respond to a request for comment, has previously said it’s concerned the rules would limit innovation and hurt consumers. The company’s iPhones come with its own Lightning charging port, though newer models include cables that can be plugged into a USB-C socket.