London MEP Welcomes Coming of Universal Chargers

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Sarah Ludford says: "This is a victory for common sense"

Local LibDem MEP Sarah Ludford has welcomed the news that universal chargers for mobile chargers and other devices including iPhones and iPads across Europe will finally become a reality after years of campaigning, following a final vote today in the European Parliament on new rules for electronic devices.

The new rules will mean all manufacturers placing new electronic devices on the EU market will be required to make them compatible with a universal charger.

Currently most phones use the same MicroUSB charger, following a voluntary agreement between the EU and 14 mobile phone manufacturers in 2011 which put pressure on them to introduce a common charger.

However, several manufacturers including Apple did not sign the agreement and have kept unique charging ports for their devices. The new legislation will place a legal requirement on manufacturers to make their devices compatible with a universal charger.

Sarah, Liberal Democrat MEP for London says: " This is a victory for common sense and a boost for consumers. Being part of the EU, the world's biggest market for mobile phones, means we can put pressure on manufacturers to put an end to cable chaos."

“We've made a lot of progress towards a universal charger in recent years but this will mean that finally every electronic device will have to be compatible."

EU countries will have two years to transpose the rules into their national law and manufacturers will have an additional year to comply. Technical details will have to be arranged between the manufacturers and the European Commission, including on the design of common chargers for future devices.

March 17, 2014