Harmonisation of Chargers for Mobile Telephones
RADIO AND TELECOMUNICATIONS TERMINAL EQUIPMENT
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/rtte/chargers.htm
Incompatibility of chargers for mobile phones has been a major inconvenience for users across the European Union and has also led to unnecessary waste. Currently, specific chargers are sold together with specific mobile phones. A user who wants to change his/her mobile phone must usually acquire a new charger and dispose of the current one, even if this is in perfect condition. This unnecessarily creates important amounts of electronic waste.
Following a request from the European Commission and in close co-operation with the Commission services, major producers of mobile phones have agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) to harmonise chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU. Building on a prior agreement of the GSMA Association, industry commits to provide chargers compatibility on the basis of the Micro-USB connector. Once the commitment becomes effective, it will be possible to charge data-enabled mobile phones from any charger compatible with the common specifications, bringing in significant economic and environmental benefits.
The Commission will closely work with industry in order to facilitate an implementation of the agreement on the market as soon as possible. This involves the development of new European Standards to ensure full compatibility and safe functioning of the new common chargers with the different mobile terminals. It is expected that the first generation of new inter-chargeable mobile phones will reach the EU market from 2010 onwards.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Some Frequently Asked Questions Who will benefit and how
Consumers will not need to buy a new charger together with every mobile phone, and they should also benefit from more efficient and cheaper stand-alone chargers. Consumers will be able to charge their mobile phone from the new common charger.
The environmental benefits of harmonising chargers are expected to be very important: reducing the number of chargers unnecessarily sold will reduce the associated generated electronic waste, which currently amounts to thousands of tons.
- What will be the impact of the MoU on price
Consumers will be able to purchase mobile phones without a charger, thus logically reducing their cost. They will also be able to purchase much more cost-effective stand-alone chargers than it is currently the case.
- Are all mobile phones covered by the MoU
The MoU covers data-enabled mobile phones, i.e. those which can be plugged into a computer to exchange pictures, files, music, etc. The MoU excludes mobile phones which do not support USB data exchange and also certain unusual formats of phone, for example phones worn as wristwatches.
- Why does the MoU only apply to data-enabled mobile phones/equipment
Mobile phones are short-life products. It is expected that from 2010 onwards most future mobile phones will be data-enabled.
- Which is the agreed common interface
On the basis of the Micro USB interface, the companies have agreed to develop a common specification in order to allow for full compatibility and safety of chargers and mobile phones.
- How long will it take to charge a mobile phone with the new common chargers
The large majority of phones will charge within 2 hours. Only in combination of a large battery with a small charger, the phone will charge within 6 hours.
- How does the MoU consider possible safety risks arising from the use of chargers and mobile phones produced by different manufacturers
The MoU will be accompanied by the development of new European standards, on the basis of which safe use of new chargers and mobile phones will be guaranteed.
When is the proposal likely to come into effect
It is expected that the first generation of new inter-chargeable mobile phones will reach the EU market from 2010 onwards. The Commission will closely work with industry in order to facilitate an implementation of the agreement on the market as soon as possible.
- Which companies have signed the MoU
The following 10 companies have signed the MoU:
• Apple
• LG
• Motorola
• NEC
• Nokia
• Qualcomm
• Research in Motion
• Samsung
• Sony Ericsson
• Texas Instruments
The MoU covers the territory of the EU. However, as the market for mobile phones is essentially global, the MoU should be seen as a good model for other geographical markets. The Commission is committed to sharing this approach with its trading partners, in order to extend its benefits world-wide.
For more information:
Please contact DG ENTR I4 "Mechanical, Electrical and Telecomm Equipment"
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/rtte/chargers.htm
