Approval of EU USB-C directive puts pressure on Apple to replace Lightning port

The European Union is pushing legislation mandating USB-C charging for various consumer electronics.

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The EU Parliament today formally approved the agreement that it and the EU Council agreed upon in September.

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The EU Council must then formally approve the agreement, after which it will be published in the EU Official Journal.

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By law, all phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, earbuds, portable speakers, and portable video game consoles must have a USB-C port.

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The law also stipulates that all fast chargers use the same charging speed. This rule is enforced with a "dedicated label" that describes the readability.

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After the regulation is published, EU Member States have one year to implement the regulation and then another year to comply.

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This law applies only to products released after this period. Parliament said the vote passed with 602 votes in favor, 13 against and eight abstentions.

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