Apple Does Not Include a Charger With All New MacBooks in UK and EU

[hans1972]

It’s just another case of regulators not really understanding what they are doing.

The EU understood what they did since in their guide on how to interpret the regulation, they answer a question about exactly what Apple is doing:

"35. Does the requirement on unbundling mean that, when radio equipment without a charging device is offered for sale, there is no obligation to also offer the same model of radio equipment with a charging device?

Yes."

 

[mk313]

FYI to all those misguided on here claiming this is to do with an EU law….. the UK IS NOT IN THE EU!! Yet it has the same no adapter Apple policy, so no it is not an EU law in the UK.. It is purely Apple profiteering.

That is actually false. (The part about UK not being in the EU is obviously true) but the UK has a similar regulation, going into effect on April 28 that requires the exact same thing. This is not Apple profiteering. This is Apple complying with local regulations.

If Apple wanted to truly profiteer, why not remove the charger everywhere? Certainly it would make them more money to do it with all countries, not just the handful that require these to be sold without chargers.

 

[Jeeve Stubbs]

Yeah, no.

I had cheap laptops. They had a power brick and charger. There’s literally no reason for this.

I didn't say poor man's laptop. I said poor man's MacBook.

 

[Pezimak]

That is actually false. (The part about UK not being in the EU is obviously true) but the UK has a similar regulation, going into effect on April 28 that requires the exact same thing. This is not Apple profiteering. This is Apple complying with local regulations.

If Apple wanted to truly profiteer, why not remove the charger everywhere? Certainly it would make them more money to do it with all countries, not just the handful that require these to be sold without chargers.

Do you have a link to that UK legislation?

 

[G-News]

I think this unbundling is eventually going to lead to more e-waste as ppl start using cheap usb c chargers that don’t meet PD standards and fry the charging circuits of compliant equipment like laptops and phones.
Those „4$“ ikea chargers are cheap for a reason.

 

[mk313]

Do you have a link to that UK legislation?

UK Radio Equipment Regulations | OPSS Compliance Guide | 360 Compliance

Learn about the latest updates to the UK Radio Equipment Regulations from OPSS, including CE marking acceptance and USB-C charging rules.

360compliance.co

 

[Abazigal]

So Apple is not allowed to ask during the ordering process whether a free separate charger should be included?

Apple is partly to blame!

The EU provided the perfect opportunity, and Apple's greed prevailed.

Nobody is going to reject a free charger even if they know very well they have no use for it because, why not?

The only way to effect meaningful change is to make it as painful as possible to choose otherwise. Otherwise, said legislation may as well not exist.

 

[Mr. Nice]

The only way to effect meaningful change is to make it as painful as possible to choose otherwise.

What annoys most people is that Apple hasn't adjusted the price! €30-40 less and no one would have complained.

In all other countries, the charger is included, so no one needs to give me the environmental argument.

 

[ChrisMac47]

O

I think this unbundling is eventually going to lead to more e-waste as ppl start using cheap usb c chargers that don’t meet PD standards and fry the charging circuits of compliant equipment like laptops and phones.
Those „4$“ ikea chargers are cheap for a reason.

Of course you're correct ... to a point. After some time, consumer items (like very small and compact chargers) become commodities, and the original (absurd) markup becomes a normal mark-up because of widespread competition. In this day and age, a compact 20W charger probably costs $1 or less to make with reliable components .. it's not rocket science now and it never was. The fact that Apple charges silly amounts for chargers doesn't necessarily have anything to do with their quality.

 

[Pezimak]

UK Radio Equipment Regulations | OPSS Compliance Guide | 360 Compliance

Learn about the latest updates to the UK Radio Equipment Regulations from OPSS, including CE marking acceptance and USB-C charging rules.

360compliance.co

Nothing on there states a manufacture doesn't include a charger?

 

[mk313]

Nothing on there states a manufacture doesn't include a charger?

This is directly from the link I sent:

Manufacturers, importers, and distributors must ensure consumers have the option to purchase devices without a new external power supply, reducing electronic waste.

and

These rules will also apply to laptops beginning April 28, 2026.

 

[Ashcanwin]

Good job Europe! Add this to the list of your failed initiatives!

• Common Agricultural Policy encourages farming practices that can harm soil and biodiversity
• EU Emissions Trading System initially made pollution permits too cheap to strongly reduce emissions
• Renewable Energy Directive increased biofuel demand that contributed to deforestation abroad
• General Data Protection Regulation places heavy compliance costs on small businesses while big companies cope easily
• Single-Use Plastics Directive led to alternatives that can sometimes have a higher environmental impact
• Energy Performance of Buildings Directive raises housing costs through expensive renovation requirements
• Vehicle Emissions Standards pushed diesel use that worsened urban air pollution
• Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive can encourage exporting e-waste to countries with weaker controls
• REACH Regulation makes it harder for smaller companies to innovate due to high compliance costs
• Fisheries Policy led to wasteful fish discarding due to quota rules