In a letter sent today to European Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska, responsible for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, EPP Group MEPs express their disappointment that after 10 years, the players in the industry have not reached an agreement on common standards for mobile radio equipment. Consequently, European citizens are being deprived of possible benefits from the existence of a common charger.
According to EPP Group MEP Róża Thun, who initiated the letter, the benefits of a common charger are clear. “First, it would make life easier for European consumers and second, there is a very strong ecological aspect, reducing electronic waste.”
The Members regret that despite the European Commission’s efforts, the voluntary agreements between different industry players have not brought any concrete results for EU citizens. The most recent Memorandum of Understanding neither has a scope that extends beyond smartphones, nor solves the fragmentation in that sector, the letter says.
The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee Members want a common charger for mobile phones, tablets, e-book readers, smart cameras and wearable electronics to become a reality as soon as possible. The European Commission can make it happen by adopting a delegated act, as the MEPs demand in their letter.
The letter has been signed by Members from four different political groups.
