Leading mobile phone manufacturers have agreed to standardise phone chargers in an effort to cut costs for consumers and reduce waste.

"This is a broad agreement that will move the industry to a single, energy-efficient charger for all mobile phones," said Michael O'Hara, marketing director for GSM Association

At presently each mobile phone maker has its own charger design, sometimes using several across different models.

The standard shape to be adopted by 17 manufacturers including Nokia, Motorola and Samsung is to be mini USB. The new charger will also be more energy efficient than current offerings, the GSMA said.

"The target is that the majority of mobile phones shipped by 2012 will support this new interface," added O'Hara.