Europe Moves Ahead on Micro-USB Charging Standard

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Posted December 30, 2010 at 2:39pm by iClarified

The European Commission is moving ahead with new EU standards for a common micro-USB mobile phone charger.

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Following a mandate from the European Commission, the European Standardisation Bodies CEN-CENELEC and ETSI have now made available the harmonised standards needed for the manufacture of data-enabled mobile phones compatible with a new common charger. This is the most recent development in the process towards a global common mobile phone charger initiated by the European Commission. It follows the June 2009 agreement of fourteen leading mobile phone producers to harmonise chargers for data-enabled mobile phones (i.e. that can be connected to a computer) sold in the European Union.

European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, said: "I am very happy that the European Standardisation Bodies have met our request to develop within a short space of time the technical standards necessary for a common mobile phone charger based on the work done by industry. Now it is time for industry to show its commitment to sell mobile phones for the new charger. The common charger will make life easier for consumers, reduce waste and benefit businesses. It is a true win-win situation."
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Apple was one of ten companies that signed a memorandum of understanding on the matter over a year ago. Notably, the iPad 2 has been rumored to feature a USB connector which could be part of Apple's commitment to the standard.

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Europe Moves Ahead on Micro-USB Charging Standard

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S_Warrior - December 31, 2010 at 6:26am

This is a business decision and it's too big a market to loose.

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t11chb - December 30, 2010 at 3:08pm

I have a feeling Apple won't budge

Ranja Kilaran - December 30, 2010 at 10:21pm

Yes. I agree. Knowing apple, they probably won't do a thing. It would be nice if they did.

$It\'s personal$

It\'s personal - December 31, 2010 at 1:04pm

They have signed it. In 2009 I believe

t11chb - December 31, 2010 at 1:20pm

They signed that they "understand", will be hard for them to change from their unique design.

Axxantis - January 3, 2011 at 9:26am

Of course they will comply. They will put a micro-USB port that will do exactly what it has to: charge the battery. No more, no less. Don´t experct to be able to plug in a memory stick and get extra storage.

ravedog - January 3, 2011 at 6:29pm

Apple doesn't need to comply. It already uses USB to charge... looked at the end of the 30-pin cable? USB. And it will work with a (wait for it...) USB Wall Wort to charge it (that they include).