Universal phone charger OK'd
Sunday, October 25, 2009
A standard for a universal phone charger was approved this week by
the International Telecommunication Union, a branch of the United
Nations. The Universal Charging Solution will enable the creation of
one-size-fits-all chargers that can be used on any future phone,
according to the ITU . The standard is based on input from the GSM
Association, which expects the shift to eliminate 51 ,000 tons of
redundant chargers, or 13.6 million tons of greenhouse gas
emissions each year. Based on Micro-USB , the new chargers will also
be energy efficient. "Universal chargers are a common-sense solution
that I look forward to seeing in other areas," Malcolm Johnson,
director of ITU's telecommunication standardization bureau, said in
a statement. Manufacturers are not required to adopt the new
chargers, but some have already signed up, such as Sony Ericsson,
according to the BBC .
