A new Brazilian report posted yesterday states that Apple and Samsung have launched their latest smartphones in Brazil without a charger accessory with the justification that they are protecting the environment. Yet the consumer protection foundation Procon, from São Paulo, isn't going along with this marketing concept and policy from these smartphone leaders. The agency announced yesterday that it has fined Apple $US 1.9 million (Brazilian currency $10,546,442) for selling iPhones without a charger.

In a note, the executive director of Procon-SP, Fernando Capez stated that "Apple needs to understand that in Brazil there are solid consumer protection laws and institutions. It needs to respect these laws and these institutions."

The report pointed out that in other countries, the company has been forced to change its strategy to follow the law. In France, for example, the iPhone is sold in two boxes because the company is required by law to include headphones with the device, but not the charger.

Procon-SP notified Apple in October last year , asking the company to explain why the new iPhones would be sold without a charger. The agency says Apple never offered a convincing explanation, so it decided to apply the fine immediately. Apple can still appeal the decision, asking Procon to reevaluate, or go to court.

Patently Apple posted a report in December on this matter titled "Brazilian Consumer Protection Agency Demands that Apple present them with a Clear Recycling Program for iPhones & Adapters.

The agency is taken the action of fining Apple and are willing to fight it out in court if need be because an individual case that went to court and lost.

Other charges Procon-SP's fine against Apple also includes other charges. One is misleading advertising: the agency says the company lies in advertising the iPhone as a "water-resistant" phone while consumers complain that their devices "have had problems" in contact with water and were not entitled to repair.

Apple is also accused of disrespecting Brazilian law when it comes to their warranty, for refusing to repair a product purchased abroad within 30. For more on this, read the full Brazilian report from Tilt.