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BEIJING, June 7 (TMTPOST) — The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), is going to mandate smartphone makers like Apple to equip their devices with a standard USB-C charging port.

EU lawmakers agreed to a single mobile charging port mandate for mobile phones, tablets and cameras on Tuesday. Device makers will have to comply with the new rule by 2024. This means that Apple would have to transition its lightning port on iPhones to USB-C port in two years.

Under the new terms, all electronic products, including smartphones, tablets, e-readers and cameras must adopt the USB-C port when selling in EU member states. Electronic device makers are also required to equip their products with standard fast-charging technology.

Laptop makers will be given 40 months after the new terms enter effect to transition their laptops.

The EU has been working to standardize charging ports of electronic devices for over ten years. But it was not until last September that the EU finally released relevant plans. The EU believes that the standardization of charging ports could help consumers in member states save 250 million euros a year and reduce electronic wastes.

“A common charger is common sense for the many electronic devices on our daily lives. Thanks to our strong political commitment, we found an agreement in less than 9 months. European consumers will be able to use a single charger for all their portable electronics – an important step to increase convenience and reduce waste,” Thierry Breton, Commissioner responsible for the Internal Market said.

“The deal we struck this morning will bring around 250 million euros of savings to consumers annually. It will also allow new technologies such as wireless charging to emerge and to mature without letting innovation to become source of market fragmentation and consumer inconvenience.”

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