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European MEPs Back Single Charger Standard

posted by Dopefish on Saturday March 15 2014, @08:12AM   Printer-friendly
from the one-plug-to-rule-them-all dept.
lhsi writes "Members of the European Parliament have backed a regulation for all smartphone devices to use a standardized charger, a Micro USB connector being the favored type (and one that is in use already).

The regulation is still only a draft law and must be approved by Europe's council of ministers. However, that body has already given its informal backing to the law, suggesting it will win final approval.

European member states will have until 2016 to translate the regulation into national laws and manufacturers will then have 12 months to switch to the new design

The reason for this regulation is both to help consumers and to cut down on electronic waste (51,000 tonnes annually)."

 
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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 17 2014, @07:07AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 17 2014, @07:07AM (#17508)

    Well Japan has kind of adopted a similar situation a few years ago

    Almost all cellphones sold there are operator-branded and they have an operator specific charging plug.

    So you have about 3 standard charger types.

    Phones are sold without charger, it's up to you to either get an AC or USB charger for your phone.
    Sometimes when you get a phone you can choose a bonus/freebie, usually a charger or instead a dangler/strap, etc