Worldwide Phone Chargers: A 15-Year Fight for Convenience and Sustainability
Remember the frustration of searching for the right charger for your phone? That struggle is finally over. As of this weekend,all new smartphones sold in the european Union must utilize a USB-C charger. This significant change is the culmination of a 15-year effort led by former European Parliamentarian Toine manders. Manders first raised the issue in 2009.He saw the inconvenience of multiple charger types and the environmental impact of electronic waste. “Telephones hadn’t even been around that long, but it really bugged me that I had five different chargers, each only compatible with one device. I couldn’t charge my phone anywhere except at home,” he recalls. “I knew phones would become increasingly significant, and this problem would only get worse. All those chargers create a huge amount of waste.” He proposed a mandatory standard charger,facing initial resistance from the european Commission.“People were still laughing about the idea in 2009,” Manders explains. “They felt it wasn’t a politician’s job to tackle these practical, technical issues. But I believe these things make daily life easier and are good for the habitat.” Tech giants like Apple also pushed back, with Manders acknowledging, “Apple resisted fiercely, and I understand why. They made hundreds of millions annually selling their proprietary chargers in Europe.”“I understood the tech companies, it concerns millions.”Undeterred, Manders cleverly linked his proposal to existing EU radio regulations, which require all radio equipment to be compatible across borders. “Telephones are essentially radios; they transmit and receive signals,” he reasoned. “This is how we managed to get the law passed with the then European Commissioner.” Despite Apple’s opposition, the law finally passed in 2022, giving the industry two years to adapt. “That period is now over, so from this weekend, all new phones will have the same charger,” Manders triumphantly announces. “It took a long time, but I’m thrilled that it has worked out,” Manders shares. “As my political career comes to a close, it’s rewarding to see an idea I championed have such a positive impact.”
“The more I think about it,the prouder I become.I genuinely leave a tangible legacy as a politician.”But manders isn’t finished yet. He envisions a future where this standardization extends beyond phones, including laptops, cars, and even garden tools.
“We have to move on: to laptops, cars and garden tools.”“It won’t happen overnight.It will be a gradual process per product category,” he explains. Manders believes this expanded standardization will be in place by 2035. ”the industry has ample time to prepare.
Former MEP Toine Manders Passes Away
Former MEP Toine Manders has died at the age of 68. Manders, a prominent figure in Dutch politics, served as a Member of the European Parliament for the CDA (Christian Democratic Appeal) party from 2009 to 2019.
health.
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours,eventually bringing it under control. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Toine Manders, Former MEP, Passes Away at 64
Toine Manders, a prominent Dutch politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 2009 to 2019, has died at the age of 64. The news of his passing was announced on august 5th, 2023, leaving the Dutch political landscape in mourning.
Manders, a member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party, was known for his strong advocacy for european integration and his dedication to social justice issues.
During his tenure in the European Parliament, Manders served on several key committees, including the Committee on Development and the committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. He was also a member of the delegation for relations with the countries of southeast Asia and ASEAN.
