Gone are those days, when you had to run to the mobile retail stores just to buy a new charger for your handset, as other chargers won’t be compatible with your handset. According to recent reports, major mobile manufacturers are discussing the option of a universal charger. One charger that would fit any handset of any brand.

The all universal charger has been approved by major mobile phone companies, such as, Apple, LG, Motorola, Nokia and Sony Ericsson. This all-in-one charger will have a Micro-USB connector that would be compatible with all handsets.

The European Union had initiated this project in an effort to put a curb on electronic wastage. The EU has asked the mobile manufacturers to come to a common voluntary resolution for the universal charger or a legislation might be passed by the governing that would only hurt the companies’ interests.

According to Günter Verheugen (EU industry commissioner),

“They will be able to charge mobile phones anywhere from the new common charger. This also means considerably less electronic waste because people will no longer have to throw away chargers when buying new phones.”

After intense negotiations, the mobile phone companies and the European Union finally reached a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding), that ensures the availability of the universal charger in Europe by the year 2010. As per the agreement, the all new universal charger will be able to ease up the energy consumption and also help the users by providing them with a singular method for charging their mobile phones.

According to Audrey Gallacher (Consumer Focus),

“Industry has chosen to do the right thing for their customers by introducing a common phone charger. This is a sensible solution to an everyday gripe for mobile phone users, which will reduce frustration and confusion for consumers as well as cutting down on waste products.”

The universal charger will be compatible only with data phones. However, EU has speculated that this charger would also be compatible with all new handsets that would be introduced from the year 2010 onwards.

Via Guardian & Silicon.com