The European Parliament has voted in favour of legislation which requires mobile phone manufacturers to make compatible chargers.

The law should be passed by the end of the term of the current Parliament.

It means that in future mobile phones, smartphones and tablets should have compatible charging devices.

The law will still have to be formally approved by the EU Council, and then Member States will have two years to adopt the laws.

After this period manufacturers will have an additional year to comply.

Former Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevey had committed several years ago to legislate on this matter if the electronics industry did not come to a voluntary agreement to standardise chargers.

But MEP for Ireland South Phil Prendergast says it is great news for consumers.