Tech major Apple has stated that if India is planning to follow the European Union (EU) rule that requires smartphones to have universal USB-C charging ports, then the country’s local production will be impacted adversely, as per a Reuters recent report.
The EU rule mandates all smartphones to have universal charging ports in India by June 2025. This deadline is 6 months later than the one given by the EU.
Notably, smartphone manufacturing giant Samsung has agreed to this new rule, unlike Apple which is lobbying for an exemption or delay in the deadline further.
According to reports, Apple is requesting to exempt the existing iPhone models from the new rule and is also in discussion with India’s IT ministry for same.
It added if the exemptions get disapproved, the company will struggle to meet the production target set under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in India.
For years, Apple has been using its lightning ports in the iPhone models. The latest iPhone 15 series was the first to get a type-c port for charging, after being compelled by the EU.
Meanwhile, as per the EU, one single charger solution would save around USD 271 million for consumers. It emphasised that it would help India to reduce its e-waste.
