EU countries and EU lawmakers on Tuesday agreed to a single mobile charging port for mobile phones, tablets and cameras, according to CNBC.
The European Commission is going to force smartphone manufacturers like Apple and other electronics makers to equip their devices with a standard USB-C charging port by 2024.
“We have a deal on the Common Charger!” EU commissioner Thierry Breton said via Twitter.
The legislation is designed to cut waste and make life easier for consumers who would theoretically be able to use one charger for multiple devices.
It could have a huge impact on Apple, as the company still uses its own Lightning connector to charge iPhones. The company has recently equipped iPads and MacBooks with USB-C ports.
Apple did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment. However, a spokesperson for the company said last September that the firm stands for “innovation and deeply cares about the customer experience.”
“We share the European Commission’s commitment to protecting the environment and are already carbon neutral for all of our corporate emissions worldwide,” they said.
Half the chargers sold with mobile phones in 2018 had a USB micro-B connector, while 29% had a USB-C connector and 21% a Lightning connector, according to a 2019 study from the commission.