Apple has approved the use of USB-C ports on iPhones

An Apple executive has admitted that the company has no choice but to follow the EU's dictates about changing charging ports on upcoming iPhones.

The European Union requires that all portable electronic devices sold in its countries operate with a standard USB-C charger by 2024. Brussels believes this will reduce e-waste by 11,000 tons annually, saving consumers €250 million annually.

USB-C chargers are already common on competing for Android smartphones. However, Apple still uses a special type of charging cord, which the company calls Lightning technology, on iPhones and headphones.

"Obviously we're going to have to comply, and we have no other choice," said Greg Joziak, Apple's senior vice president of marketing.

He told a Wall Street Journal conference that the decision would have the opposite effect on reducing e-waste as millions of existing iPhone cables would gradually become useless. He added, "The approach would have been better from an environmental point of view and better for our customers because we don't have a government to force it on us."

Apple has stopped selling new charging cables with its iPhones in order to reduce packaging and waste. The company has previously lobbied for EU standards, arguing that they would limit innovation in electronic charging technology.

Joswiak declined to say when Apple will start using USB-C ports in iPhones, but said, "It is the Europeans who dictate the timing for European customers."

He also declined to comment on whether Apple would change its charging technology for phones outside the European Union. Analysts said that Apple is expected to eventually switch to using USB-C charging cables on all future iPhones.

It is noteworthy that Apple has already moved Mac computers and many iPads and other accessories to USB-C technology instead of Lightning technology.

The UK government indicated in June that it would not force tech companies to follow similar rules.