China awaits universal cellphone charger

By Yan Yan

Thanks to bus thieves and cellphone updates, I have a small collection of chargers at home. Now they may all become redundant because a new law has been enforced by the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) in China.

A report from CRI English says:

“…[A]ll cell phones made in China are required to use a universal charger interface, based on the USB slot, in a bid to cut waste and lower user costs, according to MII.

Experts estimate that the new standard may save nearly 2.4 billion yuan (US$300 million) each year for handsets made in China if the cost of each charger is set at around seven yuan to eight yuan, according to Lou Peide, executive secretary-general of the China Mobile Communications Association.

Currently, more than 15 models of new chargers from 14 suppliers are approved to be sold in China, according to the ministry.”