MWC: Universal Charging Coming to a Phone Near You

According to AppleInsider, the GSM Association--the group behind Mobile World Congress--has voluntarily adopted universal charging initiative. Behind the push are 17 worldwide mobile operators and some equipment makers including Samsung, Nokia, and Motorola, although noticeably missing is the iPhone maker.

The idea behind universal charging plugs is simple--it eliminates the need to buy a new charger every time you buy a phone, saving the environment. New approved universal chargers will be Energy Star rated 4 or higher, and will consume 50% less standby energy than non-rated, non-approved chargers if you decide to leave the charger plugged into an outlet while not charging a phone.

The GSM Association is hoping that the "majority" of mobile phone players in the industry will adopt the new charging standard by 2012. The move can be viewed as a response from increasing pressures from the European Union to be more environmentally friendly. Lawmakers from the EU have been voicing their concerns that there hasn't been any progress on adopting a universal charger.

Whatever standard the GSM Association adopts, hopefully it will be some form of USB, either mini USB or micro USB--no need to go crazy and have everyone update their chargers just to go universal. Next on the agenda: how about universal power plugs so I don't have to buy converters for foreign travel.