MEP Marlene Mizzi urged Commission to meet the deadline of presenting a single common charger for all mobile phones by 2017.

During an Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, MEP Marlene Mizzi asked the European Commission on the state of play on the side of manufacturers towards the 2017 objective of placing on the market only universally compatible mobile chargers. 

Back in 2014, the European Parliament approved a Directive laying down harmonised rules for placing radio equipment, including cellular telephones and modems, on the market. The Directive also calls on the manufacturers to make mobile phones compatible with one single mobile phone charger no later than 2017.

MEP Marlene Mizzi said: “We accumulate so many different mobile devices in our lives, such as mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, digital cameras and music players, that are only compatible with specific mobile telephone chargers. This creates real inconvenience and costs for consumers, as well as an unnecessary electronic waste.

“Mobile phone chargers accounted for more than 50,000 tons of electronic waste per year in the EU. Often, when consumers change phones they are left with perfectly well-functioning charger, incompatible with the new model and therefore absolutely useless. This is contributing to tons of electronic waste,” said Marlene Mizzi. 

MEP Mizzi, who is the appointed IMCO rapporteur on the "Standards for the 21^st Century"  report,  said that “a standard charger is an excellent opportunity to first and foremost benefiting consumers and second reduce the environmental impact of electronic equipment from chargers that are sold unnecessarily. However, if we want to meet the deadline of 2017, we need commitment on behalf of the Commission and manufacturers to develop European standards for a common charger.”

The European Commission replied that they are working together with the industry on more innovation friendly approach that will be both convenient for consumers and have a positive impact on the environment. The Commission was positive that in the coming months they will be able together with the manufactures to come to an agreement on a common and satisfactory solution.