Apple: same charger on all phones will cause huge waste

Apple has attacked EU plans to force all tech companies to use the same charger, claiming it would lead to an “unprecedented” amount of electronic waste as customers throw away chargers that no longer work.

MEPS are debating whether to make firms use a universal charger in order to make life easier for consumers. If such a law passed, Apple would have to replace its Lightning chargers (pictured) with a commonly used alternative, such as USB-C, which is used by most Android devices.

Although the law would apply only in the EU, Apple would probably change its charger across the world. This would mean hundreds of millions of Apple users having to buy new chargers when upgrading to a new iphone or ipad. They would also have to replace any accessory that uses Lightning, or buy an adapter.

Apple says it has sold more than a billion devices that have a Lightning connector, as well as millions of compatible accessories, such as speakers.

The company also said customers would end up paying more because USB-C connectors are more expensive than Lightning equivalents.

In 2009 the EU tried to force all companies to adopt the Microusb standard. At the time, customers had to choose from 30 different connectors.

Instead the EU let tech companies develop their own alternatives, an approach that led to the emergence of USB-C and Lightning, which are now used on almost all phones.

Apple suggested this innovation wouldn’t have happened had the EU forced companies to adopt the slower Micro-usb.

If Apple did switch to USB-C, it would be Apple’s third connector in 13 years. Its first iphones used a massive 30-pin dock connector, before being replaced by Lightning in 2012. It already uses USB-C on its Macbook laptops and on the latest ipad Pro.