The European Parliament has backed the draft legislation that mandates the roll out of a new universal phone charger, which could power-up all mobile phones and other portable devices including tablets, digital cameras and music player gadgets.
As per the updated EU radio equipment laws, manufacturers, importers and distributors of radio equipment will also have to comply with uniform rules for all new electrical goods approved for sale in the EU.
The rule is expected to end the nightmare of current incompatibility of chargers and EU claims that the universal charger will result in a cutting down electronic waste.
European parliament rapporteur Barbarra Weiler said that the updated 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," Weiler said.
"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."
The new directive also mandates radio receivers to comply with a minimum level of performance in order to contribute to an efficient use of radio spectrum, as well as terms to assure devices do not meddle with each other.
Being drafted in response to consumer concerns, the new legislation would go live in three years’ time, succeeding a voluntary standardisation system create in wake of a deal among phone manufacturers including Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Samsung.
However, the majority of mobile phones sold in the EU region already come with a standard charger, so the move would mainly impact Apple and Nokia since their existing chargers do not obey the rules of the new standard.
Welcoming the parliament’s vote, EU mobile phone makers noted that the previous agreement, which concluded in 2012, has already laid the foundation for industry-wide standardisation.
