New Common Mobile Phone Charger - EU

The first common chargers and data-enabled mobile phones (connectible to a computer via USB) will reach the European market in the first months of 2011, said the European Standardisation Bodies CEN-CENELEC and ETSI.

Fourteen leading mobile phone producers have harmonised their chargers, making life easier for consumers and reducing waste, said European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani.

Incompatibile phone chargers are not only a major inconvenience for users, but also a significant environmental problem. Users who want to change their mobile phones must usually acquire a new charger and dispose of the old one, even if it is in good condition.

Data-enabled mobile phones are expected to be predominant in the market within two years, on the basis of the Micro-USB connector. The agreement was established in June 2009 and signed by Apple, Emblaze Mobile, Huawei Technologies, LGE, Motorola Mobility, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research In Motion (RIM), Samsung, Sony Ericsson, TCT Mobile (ALCATEL), Texas Instruments and Atmel (IP/09/1049).