EU, phone makers agree on a single charger

EU Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen says selling a single, standard charger will cut costs to manufacturers and reduce the number of chargers thrown away when consumers buy new phones.

Verheugen says he also wants to see the common charger expand to include other older phones, cameras and laptops in the years ahead. Under this accord, firms including Nokia and Sony Ericsson, will introduce it by next year.