The overwhelming majority of the European Parliament approved a resolution yesterday, according to which technology companies must manufacture one type of charger that will be compatible with all devices .
Lawmakers are calling for a common charger that can be used across different types of devices such as smartphones, tablets and e-book readers, across different brands.
In addition, the new resolution calls for the creation of more cables and chargers that can be recycled and reused, so that consumers do not need a new charger with every new device they buy.
Similar proposals have been made in the past, but have come up against Apple, whose Lightning are not compatible with devices made by rival companies. Other brands tend to use USB variants for charging.
Apple it said that creating one charger for all devices could limit innovation and create more environmental waste.
"The legislation will have an immediate negative impact, disrupting the hundreds of millions of active devices and accessories used by our European customers and even more Apple customers worldwide," the company's statement said.
The European Commission has been considering alternatives to this issue for a decade. In 2009, many technology companies, including Apple, signed a pactin which they promised to harmonize their chargers.
While Apple has shifted towards using USB-C in some products, the company still doesn't allow its products to be used by other manufacturers.
The resolution adopted on Thursday calls on the Commission to present new “enhanced” rules by July. According to the Commission’s work agenda for 2020, legislative action on the creation of a common charger is expected in the third quarter.
