Members of the European Parliament have voted on new laws that could see a common type of charger being developed for all mobile phones sold in the EU. The vote also set out new rules for the use of radio spectrum and avoiding potential interference.
This move would cut costs and reduce waste, although it still needs to be formally approved and would then be followed by a three-year period before manufacturers were legally obliged to comply.
In addition, the European Commission would need to decide which radio equipment the ‘single charger’ rule applied to - and whether or not all new mobile phones needed to comply.
Barbara Weiler MEP, speaking on behalf of the European Parliament, said “The modernised Radio Equipment Directive is an efficient tool to prevent interference between different radio equipment devices. I am especially pleased that we agreed on the introduction of a common charger. This serves the interests both of consumers and the environment. It will put an end to charger clutter and 51,000 tonnes of electronic waste annually”.
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