New phone charger legislation considered by EU
Wednesday, April 2, 2014 - 12:18:14
The EU may enforce new regulations, which mean that all mobile phones sold in the UK and across the continent will need to use the same universal charger technology.
The idea is that this will help to cut down on waste and reduce the amount of additional charging units that people are provided with each and every time they buy a new handset.
MEPs are currently working on the changes which will bring universal charger technology to member states and there are even talks of making the charger compatible with a much wider range of electronic devices.
Spokesperson, Barbara Weiler, said that up to 51,000 tonnes of old, unwanted chargers are thrown away in the EU each year, which means that the introduction of universal chargers could result in a sharp drop in such disposal levels.
In addition, Weiler said that people will have more space at home because the need to hold onto multiple chargers will be eliminated, as one can do the job of many.
A growing number of smartphone manufacturers have already adopted a standardised, USB-based charging port, so whether you have a handset from Samsung, LG or Nokia, you should be able to share a charger with others.
However, Apple is resolutely sticking to its proprietary charger port on the iPhone range, which does pose a bit of a problem. So if the rules in the EU are changed, then Apple too would be put in a position where hardware design revisions need to be made.
Just as you can sell old mobile phones online to help reduce the environmental impact of ownership, it is also possible to safely and responsibly dispose of old chargers. Check with your local council to find out about the facilities which are available for e-waste recycling.
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