EU to standardise mobile chargers

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Apr 2009

Lib Dem MEP Sharon Bowles welcomes the plans for one universal charger

The persistence of the European Liberal Democrat MEPs has paid off. They have secured a pledge that the EU will seek to harmonise mobile chargers. The aim is to reduce costs for European consumers currently obliged to replace chargers which still work, and to cut the enormous quantity of waste generated.

During a debate at the European Parliament initiated by the Liberal Democrats, the European Commissioner for Industry Gunther Verheugen announced that the Commission will work towards the introduction of a standardised charger for portable electronic appliances including mobile phones, cameras, laptops, iPods and MP3 players. He has told manufacturers to reach a voluntary agreement to improve practices, or an EU law will be introduced to force them to do so.

South East Lib Dem MEP Sharon Bowles has welcomed the plans for one universal charger. She said that having just one type of connection would be of real benefit to millions of people who are fed up with having so many wires and plugs from mobile phones around the house.

She said: "In my home we have four chargers, one for each member of the family. This makes for an untidy charging station and is extremely wasteful. Europe is the world's biggest market for mobile phones. We have the power to get companies working together, to put a stop to wasteful competition, and set standards that will benefit people everywhere."