Nokia, Samsung, LG, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Apple, RIM, NEC, Qualcomm and TI, all agree mobile phones in Europe will have the new Universal Charging Solution (UCS) in 2010 instead of 2012. The new chargers will only be compatible with smartphones, leaving out basic phones, reports Reuters.

The MicroUSB standard is now backed by the ITU. The new UPC standard was based on input from GSMA, which predicts a 50% reduction in standby energy consumption, elimination of 51,000 tonnes of redundant chargers, and reduction of 13.6m tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions each year.

Go ITU on MicroUSB Standard