Apple's special "Lightning connector" charging cable and port will still be allowed on iPhones in Britain despite an EU ban, it has been reported. New European rules mean phones will need to have a USB type-C charger by autumn 2024.
The Telegraph reports that the Government has said it is not "currently considering" matching the EU legislation. The rules cover devices including tablets, smartphones and speakers, eventually extending to laptops too.
However, lightning connectors will be banned in Northern Ireland, says The Telegraph. This is because of the Northern Ireland Protocol - an outcome of Brexit which means the province still follows some Single Market rules.
The EU said the new rules aim to reduce hassle for consumers and curb electronic waste by removing the need to buy a new charger with a new device. The rules will apply to “all small and medium-sized portable electronic devices”, while laptops will have to be adapted to fit the requirements 40 months after they come into force.
The move needs to be approved by the European Parliament and European Council later this year, but that is expected to be a formality now the outline of the proposals has been agreed.
European Parliament spokesman Alex Agius Saliba said: “European consumers were frustrated long with multiple chargers piling up with every new device. Now they will be able to use a single charger for all their portable electronics.
“We are proud that laptops, e-readers, earbuds, keyboards, computer mice and portable navigation devices are also included in addition to smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers. We have also added provisions on wireless charging being the next evolution in the charging technology and improved information and labelling for consumers.”
Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, said: “Although Apple has made a strong argument for it keeping its Lightning connector, given the one billion active iPhone users, some of its products including Mac and iPad Pro now support USB-C. Hopefully it will eventually become a non-issue if Apple keeps adding USB-C to more devices and that means ultimately we could see USB-C coming to iPhone.”
