EU's Mobile Phone Producers to Use Micro-USB Connector for Chargers
June 30, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
In a memorandum of understanding (MoU) submitted to the European Commission (EC) on June 29, major producers of mobile phones in the European Union (EU) committed to providing compatibility for chargers 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. With the new standards, safe, convenient use of new mobile phones as well as avoidance of radio interference problems will be guaranteed.
Currently, there is a plethora of chargers for mobile phones in the EU, and 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 now generate several thousands of tons of waste a year.
In addition, incompatibility of mobile phone chargers is a major inconvenience for users. Therefore, the EC requested industry to come forward with a voluntary commitment to solve this problem so as to avoid legislation.
In intensive negotiations with the EC, the producers of mobile phones agreed to settle the problem. The following companies signed the MoU: Apple, LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research in Motion (RIM), Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Texas Instruments.
With the June 29 MoU, industry made a 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. The first generation of new inter-chargeable mobile phones should reach the EU market in 2010.
Benefits include:
- Users will enjoy an easier life with their mobile phones.
- The number of chargers will be reduced.
- There will be a positive environmental impact.
"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," said EC vice president Günter Verheugen, responsible for enterprise and industrial policy.
"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 EC does not consider it necessary to introduce legislation."
The EC plans to continue working closely with industry to ensure that the MoU is operational quickly. The EC welcomed 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.
For more information, see MEMO/09/301 - Harmonisation of a charging capability of common charger for mobile phones - frequently asked questions and the EC's web site for Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment.
Source: European Commission (EC).