If the standard isn't sufficient, you work to improve the standard. The standard was micro USB under the common external power supply legislation with compliance being voluntary. When usb-c gained popularity the legislation was started to change it about 4-5 years ago.

What Apple went and did was go and create a proprietary connector and refuse to change to the (new) de facto standard until forced long after the time at which it would have been reasonable to change. This is why a mandatory standard was required, one that they also obstructed the for as long as possible.

If Apple had played cooperatively, the dust would have settled on this getting close to a decade ago, and would probably still be voluntary compliance

It's not just that USB-C is better, it's that it has been better for years and years and years and Apple was clearly never going to change until someone forced their hand, for no reason other than greed. They had every opportunity. Apple was the only one stifling innovation, and creating e-waste in the process that runs contrary to their greenwashing propaganda.