Lack of standardisation of batteries and adapters for the supply of electric power for portable equipment
22.10.2002
WRITTEN QUESTION E-3124/02
by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL)
to the Commission
A report in the Netherlands edition of the free daily newspaper ‘Metro’ on Monday 21, October 2002 comments that people can now take with them on journeys all of the equipment which at one time could only be used at home, such as phones, digital video cameras, computers and printers, and that this weighs no more than the old portable typewriters. However, the report also points out that each of these types of equipment has its own combination of batteries and adapters for charging and for converting power from the grid, and that this means that it is necessary to also carry a large number of relatively heavy devices in order to operate such electrical equipment on journeys. The author, Jack Nouws, expresses his surprise at the fact that standardisation has not yet been carried out at EU level, asking how much money could be saved by laying down legal requirements for all mobile phones to have the same type of adapter socket and for this same adapter socket also to be used for all portable equipment, so that one charger is sufficient for all makes of equipment. He comments that Members of the European Parliament travel a great deal, not just between Brussels and Strasbourg, and that it is surprising that a proposal has not long since been put forward by a zealous official.
1. Why, when the market for portable electrical equipment began to take off in the 1980s, was standardisation of charging devices not carried out, not even between the different types and makes of mobile phone?
2. What are the additional annual costs borne by individual consumers, organisations and companies in the EU Member States for replacing, continuing to use simultaneously and carrying different devices for charging and for converting electric power?
3. What steps have been taken to date to achieve standardisation, as compared with connectivity for fixed equipment, and what has delayed or prevented the establishment of standardisation?
4. What further steps is the Commission considering adopting in order, finally, to swiftly introduce standardisation at least at the EU level and, if possible, at world level, and to discourage the production, import and sale within the EU of equipment deviating from the standard? When can these measures be expected to lead to results?
OJ C 137 E, 12/06/2003