1 July 2009
It also noted that having several chargers is a major inconvenience for consumers, which led the body to suggest the industry should come up with a voluntary code to abide by.
The first generation of inter-chargeable mobile phones should hit the shelves from next year, the Commission predicts, which has been made possible after major producers agreed to take the necessary steps.
Vice-President Gunter Verheugen, responsible for enterprise and industrial policy, said: "I am very pleased that industry has found an agreement, which will make life much simpler for consumers.
"They will be able to charge mobile phones anywhere from the new common charger."
To make buying a new handset even more eco friendly, uSwitch.com offers a mobile phone recycling service.
Last month, Lloyds TSB became the first bank in the UK to launch 'on demand' text message balance updates for its customers.
By Martin Ellis