Apple seeks time from MeitY to comply with EU norms in older iPhones

Apple has requested the MeitY to give it 18 to 24 months’ exemption to comply with the European Union regulation of putting an USB charging port in all its older smartphones, mainly iPhone 13 and iPhone 14. These models are assembled, exported and also sold in the domestic market. Apple’s stance is different from that of Samsung, which has been pushing for an immediate implementation of the EU regulation.  

Every smartphone from the South Korean giant is already in accordance with the regulations set by the EU. 

Samsung refrained from providing a comment on the matter, and an Apple Inc spokesperson stated that an immediate response to the request for comment would not be provided. 

Many mobile device manufacturers, operating under the umbrella of the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), express readiness to adopt the EU rules starting from June 1, 2025. 

Apple has requested a six-month extension post its implementation in the EU. However, Apple is advocating for an additional extension until either June 2026 or December 2026 specifically for the older iPhone models. 

The regulation has already been applied to the iPhone 15 this year. Apple anticipates that, with the extended timeline, the demand for these phones, both globally and in India, will diminish significantly or cease entirely. 

In response to the divergent opinions on this matter, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, stated, "The matter is under deliberation."