Sharon backs demands for one universal mobile phone charger

3.16.38pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 1st Apr 2009

Fed up with all those wires and plugs around the house from old mobile phones? Help may be on its way from Brussels.

Sharon Bowles, has joined calls by the EU for manufacturers to cut costs and get rid of waste by introducing common standards for phone chargers and electrical appliances.

European Commissioner for Enterprise, Gunther Verheugen, has told manufacturers that they have till the end of the month to reach a voluntary agreement to improve practices, or an EU law will be introduced to force them to do so.

Mobile phones, digital cameras, mp3 players and laptops would all be able to use the same type of charger under the EU plan.

The South East MEP said that having just one type of connection would be of real benefit to millions of people.

She said: "In my home we have four chargers, one for each member of the family. This makes for an untidy charging station and is extremely wasteful.

"Europe is the world's biggest market for mobile phones. We have the power to get companies working together, to put a stop to wasteful competition, and set standards that will benefit people everywhere."