After EU lawmakers reached an agreement to force all smartphones and tablets to have USB-C charging ports by 2024, a group of Senate Democrats is trying to fulfill a similar mandate in the United States
According to The Verge, these Democrats called on the US Department of Commerce to follow the example of the EU and “develop a strategy that requires a common port for charging all mobile devices.”
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The letter, addressed to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, was written by Ed Markie (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
“The EU is acting wisely in the public interest by taking on powerful technology companies on this consumer and environmental issue,” the senators wrote. “The United States must do the same.”
This move would be a big step towards the fight against e-waste and would obviously hit Apple the hardest, as it has been using its own Lightning Cable for many of its devices since it was introduced with the iPhone 5 in 2012.
“Year after year, Americans are stockpiling our obsolete chargers as we give more money to technology companies for new ones,” Markie said in a statement to The Verge on Thursday. “This waste is pushing consumers up the wall and moving our planet deeper into a climate crisis. I ask the Ministry of Trade to follow the example of the European Union and seek solutions so that we can save our money, our minds and our planet. “
The Democrats’ plan in the US Senate is slightly different from that of the EU, as they do not want the Department of Commerce to codify USB-C as a universal charging standard. Instead, he wants them to create a “comprehensive strategy” for the future.
There are people who oppose the move, as some critics of the EU’s mandate say the rule could “stifle innovation and prevent smartphone makers from improving standards for faster charging in the future”.
“High technology is allergic to regulations and we can already see companies repelling EU action. Senator Marky believes that we must continue to oppose this industry to ensure that their interests do not come at the expense of the environment and consumer welfare, “a Verge spokesman said when asked about potential repulsion from the technology industry. .
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Adam Bankhurst is the author of IGN news. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.
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