The design of a common charger for all cell phones phones sold in the EU, MEPs demanded in a radio equipment bill they approved on Thursday. The aim is to reduce both costs and unnecessary waste as well as consumer suffering. The bill constitutes product agreement already reached between the European Parliament and the Council.
"The revised Community directive on radio equipment will be an effective tool to avoid interference between different devices. I am particularly pleased that we have agreed to establish a common charger, for the benefit of both consumers and the environment. This will put an end to the current variety of chargers and the 51.000 tons of e-waste produced annually," said rapporteur Barbara Weiler (Socialists, Germany).
Wanting to respond effectively to the challenge presented by the growing number and ever-increasing variety of devices, MEPs adopted harmonized rules for the marketing of radio equipment such as mobile phones, car remote controls and modem. Επιθυμούν να διασφαλίσουν ότι η κάθε device will not adversely affect the existence of the other, and that it will comply with some important health and safety requirements.
A common charger
Members of the European Parliament called for a common charger to be designed for certain categories of radio equipment, especially mobile phones, in order to simplify their use and reduce unnecessary waste and costs.
In their view, the radio equipment available on the market should be compatible with a common type of charger. However, it is the European Commission that decides exactly what categories of radio equipment should comply with this requirement.
Detection of unsafe radio equipment
MEPs argued that competent authorities should have additional tools to help them locate radio equipment that does not comply with the new safety rules.
Following a thorough assessment of the information received from the Member States, the Commission will identify the categories of radio equipment that will have to obtain a registration number that manufacturers will place on the radio equipment available on the market. A similar database is already working in the US.
Next steps
The bill was passed by MEPs with 550 votes in favor, 12 v and 8 abstentions. It should then be formally adopted by the Council. Member States will have two years to transpose the revised directive into their national legislation and manufacturers will have one extra time to comply with the new rules.
Profit online 13/3/2014 18:12
