The Universal Standard Smartphone Charger by 2017

Smartphone-makers selling devices in the European Union will be forced to use a common charging port from 2017, after a voluntary agreement between manufacturers was made mandatory by the EU.


Tech companies began working on a common charger in 2009, with many now sharing the same micro USB standard after years of using their own charging systems.

The creation of a universal charger has been discussed in the corridors of the EU for some time, with all 35 members of the EU’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee lending their support last October.

However, while the likes of Samsung, HTC and Sony all now use interchangeable chargers, Apple continues to use its own proprietary Lightning connector for its iPhone.

The regulation will become law in EU member states by 2016, with manufacturers than having a further 12 months to comply. The aim is to reduce electronic waste, out at a massive 51,000 tonnes according to one MEP, Also to make it easier for consumers to acquire a charger for their device as well as clutter from having to utilize several different charging cables

Apple has yet to respond to the proposals as it is one of the few manufacturers that produces gadgets with proprietary power ports. However, it was one of the original signatories of the agreement Europe reached with manufacturers to produce the chargers.

That means we should see future iPhones and iPads using micro USB tech in the future.

Last December, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), a non-profit body that develops standards for electronic devices, finished working on a technical specification for a universal laptop charger for use worldwide.

- BBC