25 October 2012: ITU members agreed on new technical standards for a Universal Power Adapter (UPA), which will enable energy savings and reduce e-waste.

The widespread adoption of an energy-efficient UPA solution is anticipated to eliminate an estimated 300,000 tonnes of e-waste annually, according to a study carried out by the University of Genoa. The study also predicts that the adoption of UPAs could reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of external power supplies between 25 and 50 percent.

By increasing the number of compatible devices, these new UPAs will facilitate adaptor reuse and recycling. In addition, the longer lifespan of the adapters is anticipated to drive reductions in energy consumption used in information and communication technology (ICT) equipment manufacture and in e-waste as well as reducing strain on raw materials. The new UPAs are also compatible with standalone AC produced by renewable energy systems, including solar energy.

Hamadoun Touré, Secretary-General, ITU, said he was confident the new UPA would be warmly welcomed, emphasizing their benefits: “these important environmentally-oriented standards will markedly reduce e-waste and greenhouse gas emissions, while saving money for vendors and consumers through more efficient use of raw materials and energy.”

ITU’s Environment and climate change study group agreed upon the standardized requirements at a recent meeting of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. The UPA standard will apply to fixed telephones, home networking equipment, modems and set-top boxes. This standard complements ITU’s Universal Charging Solution for mobile devices. [ITU Press Release]