The era of the Lightning port may be coming to an end. Earlier this week, European lawmakers discussed the possibility of all mobile devices having a common charger.

According to a newsletter posted on the European Parliament's website (via ZDNet), MEPs will argue that "a common charger should fit all cell phones, tablets, e-readers, and other portable devices."

Part of the EU's desire for a common charger appears to be rooted in sustainability. The newsletter notes that outdated chargers create "more than 51,000 tons of e-waste per year. If all cell phones were USB-C compatible, fewer chargers would become waste.

USB-C is already the standard for most Android phones, including the Google Pixel 4, Samsung Galaxy S10, and OnePlus 7T. But Apple is sticking with its own Lightning connector, which debuted in 2012 on all iPhones and some iPads.

The iPhone's transition to USB-C would be an important but not entirely surprising change for Apple's mobile devices; rumors of a USB-C iPhone have been floating around for years, most recently by Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-respected Apple analyst, predicted that Apple would eliminate the Lightning jack by 2021; the latest iPad Pro model also features a USB-C port, allowing the high-end tablet to connect to an external monitor, audio interface, or dock.

In a 2019 memo to the European Commission, Apple opposed the USB-C standard, stating that "regulations that would unify the type of connectors built into all smartphones would freeze innovation rather than encourage it." The company noted that the move would "result in an unprecedented amount of electronic waste and cause great inconvenience to users."

While it is too early to determine whether the EU's proposed common charger regulation will become law, it will be one of the biggest changes for the iPhone in years; some are excited about the USB-C standard, while others lament the mountain of old Lightning cables.