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Some of the world’s biggest mobile phone manufacturers have agreed to adopt a new universal standard of phone charger in an effort to be more environmentally friendly.
Until now, most mobile phones have used proprietary chargers that will only work on one kind of device, leading to cupboards full of unwanted chargers in homes across the country.
But now 10 companies, including Apple, LG, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson, have submitted a Memorandum of Understanding to the European Commission pledging to start making phones that can be charged using a single charger.
The manufacturers will adopt the Micro USB connector across all their devices from next year, meaning that dozens of different handsets can be charged using a single plug.
The European Commission has been putting pressure on mobile phone makers to reach an agreement on a universal charging standard in an effort to cut down on the thousands of tons of waste generated each year by the inclusion of unwanted chargers with every new handset.
“I am very pleased that industry has found an agreement, which will make life much simpler for consumers,” said Guenter Verheugen, the EU industry commissioner. “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.”
The GSMA, the trade organisation that represents the mobile phone industry, said that the new universal chargers will consume half as much energy when on standby as today’s charging cables.
“By supporting this industry initiative on common charging solutions, and enabling consumers to choose if they need a charger with every new device or can reuse existing ones, we can contribute further in improving the industry’s environmental footprint,” said Mitti Storckovius, a senior director at Nokia.
The announcement was welcomed by technology experts. “A universal charger is well overdue, especially one that is as energy-efficient as this,” said Ernest Doku, an analyst with mobile phone comparison site Omio.com. “The announcement isn’t just welcome from an environmental standpoint, but will bring immediate benefits to the consumer. Wherever you are, you’ll be able to charge your phone and stay connected.”
By Claudine Beaumont, Technology Editor
Manufacturers agree on standard phone charger - Telegraph
Until now, most mobile phones have used proprietary chargers that will only work on one kind of device, leading to cupboards full of unwanted chargers in homes across the country.
But now 10 companies, including Apple, LG, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson, have submitted a Memorandum of Understanding to the European Commission pledging to start making phones that can be charged using a single charger.
The manufacturers will adopt the Micro USB connector across all their devices from next year, meaning that dozens of different handsets can be charged using a single plug.
The European Commission has been putting pressure on mobile phone makers to reach an agreement on a universal charging standard in an effort to cut down on the thousands of tons of waste generated each year by the inclusion of unwanted chargers with every new handset.
“I am very pleased that industry has found an agreement, which will make life much simpler for consumers,” said Guenter Verheugen, the EU industry commissioner. “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.”
The GSMA, the trade organisation that represents the mobile phone industry, said that the new universal chargers will consume half as much energy when on standby as today’s charging cables.
“By supporting this industry initiative on common charging solutions, and enabling consumers to choose if they need a charger with every new device or can reuse existing ones, we can contribute further in improving the industry’s environmental footprint,” said Mitti Storckovius, a senior director at Nokia.
The announcement was welcomed by technology experts. “A universal charger is well overdue, especially one that is as energy-efficient as this,” said Ernest Doku, an analyst with mobile phone comparison site Omio.com. “The announcement isn’t just welcome from an environmental standpoint, but will bring immediate benefits to the consumer. Wherever you are, you’ll be able to charge your phone and stay connected.”
By Claudine Beaumont, Technology Editor
Manufacturers agree on standard phone charger - Telegraph
