This picture shows a USB-C plug that Apple uses for its tablets, but not the iPhone. Why not introduce USB-C as standard for all chargers, for phones, tablets, cameras? #commoncharger
Last night the European Parliament debated that question. Here's the catch.
Last night the European Parliament debated that question. Here's the catch.
The EU Commission first promised a common charger in 2009, eleven years ago! This is Commissioner Verheugen, now long retired. But the Commission insists to this day that manufacturers must do this voluntarily. Which of course they never did, at least not all of them.
Apple insists on its own proprietary standard called Lightning. They have lobbied heavily to keep the EU from legislating a common standard and have deployed all kinds of tricks, including their own studies. For more, read here: euobserver.com/science/144538
The benefits of a common charger should be obvious. It's convenient for us, the users. Moreover it will help to reduce e-waste if all chargers are alike and you can keep using them. Check out the figures below.
So last night the parliament debated this. MPs across groups were near united in saying the Commission should act and finally make binding rules. But Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič told the EP that they were still thinking about it, all options on the table, bla, bla, bla.
Meanwhile, the Commission is keeping a study they commissioned on the common charger under wraps. Why? Because likely it will deliver the kind of arguments that MPs made, namely that self-regulation is at its limits and laws have to be made. More here: euobserver.com/science/146557
To me, the saga of the common charger is the archetype of EU regulation stories. The elements are there: the big influence of industry on law-making, the Commission's love of self-regulation, the Parliament unable to get its will.
How can we change this story, @ThierryBreton?
How can we change this story, @ThierryBreton?
