EU & Brexit Bunker

[PurplePenguin]

OK re HoL, but I don't see why the EU shouldn't be legislating on things that reduce wastage and simplify consumers' (electronic) lives community-wide, having heard representations from industry.

Because it created a load of wastage. All iphone users needed to ditch their perfectly functional chargers and buy new ones. Furthermore, the rest of the industry had already converged on USB-C as a standard having previously used micro USB. It simply wasn't the case that any help was required, but what it has done is stifle improvements. Why did everyone change from micro USB to USB-C? Presumably because the latter is better. Why wouldn't another innovation come along?

Separately, I hate it for my laptop. Far too flimsy.

 

[briantrumpet]

Because it created a load of wastage. All iphone users needed to ditch their perfectly functional chargers and buy new ones. Furthermore, the rest of the industry had already converged on USB-C as a standard having previously used micro USB. It simply wasn't the case that any help was required, but what it has done is stifle improvements. Why did everyone change from micro USB to USB-C? Presumably because the latter is better. Why wouldn't another innovation come along?

Separately, I hate it for my laptop. Far too flimsy.

Might agree with laptop comment, but to play devil's advocate, have regulations on UK mains plugs stifled innovation?

 

[briantrumpet]

And maybe the EU's stance is because Apple appeared to be actively creating waste by constantly changing stuff and introducing unnecessary redundancy in order to drive sales.

 

[PurplePenguin]

Might agree with laptop comment, but to play devil's advocate, have regulations on UK mains plugs stifled innovation?

Walls have remained unchanged over the years, but it is a good point that the EU has failed to bring EU countries up to the electrical standards of British plugs

Also, on the subject of my laptop. The charger port failed once within guarantee, so I had a new motherboard. It has now half failed (only works one way round), so I imagine soon it will completely fail. At that point, my completely functional laptop will be junked (reminds me I need to back-up) all in the name of reducing electrical wastage.

 

[PurplePenguin]

And maybe the EU's stance is because Apple appeared to be actively creating waste by constantly changing stuff and introducing unnecessary redundancy in order to drive sales.

I am no defender of Apple's strategies, but they had the same charger for 12 years, and it really isn't hard to find greater wastage in most industries, so I really don't think it is about waste.

 

[briantrumpet]

Walls have remained unchanged over the years, but it is a good point that the EU has failed to bring EU countries up to the electrical standards of British plugs

Also, on the subject of my laptop. The charger port failed once within guarantee, so I had a new motherboard. It has now half failed (only works one way round), so I imagine soon it will completely fail. At that point, my completely functional laptop will be junked (reminds me I need to back-up) all in the name of reducing electrical wastage.

I tried blowing my parents' mains system when I was very small by half-pulling out a mains plug and using my dad's electrical screwdriver to see the little bulb light up. Unfortunately the shaft of the screwdriver wasn't insulated, and I discovered it made quite a big bang when you short the uninsulated live and neutral pins.

 

[briantrumpet]

I am no defender of Apple's strategies, but they had the same charger for 12 years, and it really isn't hard to find greater wastage in most industries, so I really don't think it is about waste.

Other views are available.

https://jolt.richmond.edu/2023/12/0...arger-the-standard-across-the-27-nation-bloc/

Maybe the legislation is flawed in some aspects, but I don't think that's an argument against it being the kind of area where sensible legislation is appropriate (see UK mains plugs, where standards have been modified, not least because of little boys who play with screwdrivers).

 

[Psamathe]

Just noticed this report relevant to UK lobbying discussion? (relating to the Conservatives prior to current Government)

Weak UK lobbying laws let fossil fuel giants influence climate policies
The British government weakened key climate policies after fossil fuel giants lobbied ministers and used legal loopholes to avoid public scrutiny, a new report has found.

Climate-focused think tank InfluenceMap has uncovered that industry influence appears to have led to the delay and dilution of UK policies on the roll-out of heat pumps, the development of ‘sustainable’ aviation fuel and the granting of new oil and gas licenses.
...
The secrecy around lobbying, which has been at the heart of many government scandals in recent years, is a major driver of the disillusionment in British politics.

Three-quarters of the public believe the government is “rigged to serve the rich and influential”, according to polling conducted by More in Common and University College London’s Policy Lablast year.

 

[BoldonLad]

Because it created a load of wastage. All iphone users needed to ditch their perfectly functional chargers and buy new ones. Furthermore, the rest of the industry had already converged on USB-C as a standard having previously used micro USB. It simply wasn't the case that any help was required, but what it has done is stifle improvements. Why did everyone change from micro USB to USB-C? Presumably because the latter is better. Why wouldn't another innovation come along?

Separately, I hate it for my laptop. Far too flimsy.

When was this?

 

[briantrumpet]

When was this?

End of 2024.

https://commission.europa.eu/news-a...all-your-devices-single-charger-2024-12-28_en

 

[BoldonLad]

End of 2024.

https://commission.europa.eu/news-a...all-your-devices-single-charger-2024-12-28_en

I owned an iPhone in that time frame, no new charger was required?

As I see it, the proposal is perfectly sensible. The Universal Serial Bus was a great idea, when introduced, but, let down by the multiplicity of connectors. A folly which I understand is being replicated with EV chargers now.

 

[Pblakeney]

I owned an iPhone in that time frame, no new charger was required?

As I see it, the proposal is perfectly sensible. The Universal Serial Bus was a great idea, when introduced, but, let down by the multiplicity of connectors. A folly which I understand is being replicated with EV chargers now.

I'm still using a 2019 iPhone with the original charger so, meh.

 

[First Aspect]

I personally think the EU should have weighed in in the matter of bottom bracket standards.

 

[Xipe Totec]

I personally think the EU should have weighed in in the matter of bottom bracket standards.

Under the circumstances, it's unlikely they'd go for BSA.

 

[First Aspect]

I would accept anything with a thread.