The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) approved the new charger that will have the ability to work with each and every new mobile phone handset. While most chargers are currently brand specific and are rarely cross-compatible this new model would be usable with any mobile made after the charger is put into production.

Using similar technology to digital cameras the device would have a micro-USB port instead of the myriad of different connecter plug designs currently on show.

The new charger would be required to hold a 4-star or more efficiency rating, over three times more efficient than some current chargers. As a universal charger would theoretically never need to be replaced and therefore less would have to be produced, the GSMA estimated that greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 13.6 million tonnes annually.

Malcolm Johnson, director of the Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau (TSB) branch of the ITU, said, "This is a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of mobile charging, which also has the benefit of making mobile phone use more straightforward. Universal chargers are a commonsense solution that I look forward to seeing in other areas."

While mobile phone manufacturers are not required to use the new chargers, many such as Sony Ericsson have done so with their spokesperson Aldo Ligouri announcing “We are planning to launch the universal charger internationally during the first half of 2010”. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8323018.stm

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