EC WELCOMES INDUSTRY’S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE A COMMON CHARGER FOR MOBILE PHONES
/PanARMENIAN.Net/
30.06.2009 15:39 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Incompatibility of chargers for mobile phones
is a major inconvenience for users and also leads to unnecessary
waste. Therefore, the Commission has requested industry to come forward
with a voluntary commitment to solve this problem so as to avoid
legislation. As a result major producers of mobile phones have agreed
to harmonise chargers in the EU. In a Memorandum of Understanding
("MoU"), which was submitted to the Commission today, the industry
commits to provide chargers compatibility on the basis of the Micro-USB
connector. In addition new EU standards to ensure continued safe
charger use will be developed to facilitate the implementation of
the MoU. The first generation of new inter-chargeable mobile phones
should reach the EU market from 2010 onwards.
Vice-President Gunter Verheugen, responsible for enterprise and
industrial policy, said: "I am very pleased that industry has
found an agreement, which will make life much simpler for consumers
. They will be able to charge mobile phones anywhere from the new
common charger. This also means considerably less electronic waste,
because people will no longer have to throw away chargers when buying
new phones. I am also very pleased that this solution was found on
the basis of self-regulation. As a result, the Commission does not
consider it necessary to introduce legislation."
Today there is a plethora of chargers for mobile phones in the EU. Many
of them can only charge a particular mobile phone. Almost every
household has a collection of chargers that have become superfluous
over time. Old chargers currently generate several thousands of tons
of waste a year.
In intensive and constructive negotiations with the European
Commission, the producers of mobile phones have agreed to settle
the problem. In a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") handed over
to the Commission, industry takes a self-commitment to ensure the
compatibility of new data-enabled mobile phones on the basis of the
Micro-USB connector as the interface to provide charging support. It
is expected to enable good charging capability. In the future: Users
will enjoy an easier life with their mobiles.
The number of chargers will be reduced There will be a positive
environmental impact.
The MoU will be accompanied by a new EU standard. With the new
standard, safe use of new mobile phones as well as avoidance of radio
interference problems will be guaranteed. The European Commission
continues to work closely with industry to ensure that the MoU will
be operational quickly. It expects that the first generation of new
inter-chargeable mobile phones will reach the EU market from 2010
onwards. The following companies have signed the MoU: Apple, LG,
Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research in Motion (RIM), Samsung,
Sony Ericsson, Texas Instruments.
The Commission welcomes that the MoU will not preclude innovation in
the fast moving mobile phone market by fixing a certain technology
forever. Therefore, when the time has come, the MoU will adapt to
future charging technologies, EC website reported.