EU Enforces USB-C Standard; Apple Stops Selling iPhone 14 and SE in Europe

Dec 28, 2024, 10:02 AM

Starting December 28, 2024, the European Union has mandated that all new electronic devices sold within its 27 member states, including smartphones, tablets, and digital cameras, must be equipped with a USB-C charging port. The regulation aims to simplify charging for consumers, reduce electronic waste by an estimated 11,000 tonnes annually, and save consumers around 250 million euros per year by standardizing charging ports across devices. As a result, companies like Apple have ceased sales of older iPhone models, such as the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE, in EU countries because they do not conform to the new USB-C requirements. The directive also stipulates that laptops will have until April 28, 2026, to comply with the USB-C standard.