The European Union has set a milestone in the regulation of consumer electronics with the adoption of legislation that introduces a universal charging standard. From 2028, manufacturers will be obliged to equip chargers and external power supplies for a wide range of devices with detachable USB-C cables.
The measure, covering electronics with a power of up to 240 W, aims to achieve maximum compatibility and sustainability, reducing e-waste and making it easier for consumers. The new rules cover chargers for game consoles, monitors, routers, TV sets and wireless charging pads.
Key Technical Requirements
USB-C and Detachability: Every external power supply must have at least one USB-C port and a detachable cable.
USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) Standard: Power transmission must follow the USB-PD protocol, ensuring unified communication.
Power Transparency: Manufacturers are required to indicate the rated power directly on the power supply, port and cables. This declared power must be guaranteed, without voltage fluctuations during continuous charging.
Identification Mark: To facilitate consumer choice, compatible devices will be marked with a special “Common Charger“ logo.
The law also imposes strict energy efficiency requirements. All EPS with an output power of more than 10 W must demonstrate minimum efficiency indicators at a load of 10% or higher.
In addition, wireless charging pads must reduce standby power consumption. Their power supplies must be external to encourage their reuse. As an additional measure, a mandatory level of protection against surge interference is introduced.
The new regulations cover both the original chargers supplied with the devices and those from third parties. Exemptions are limited to specific categories such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), medical devices, certain types of toys, electric scooters/bikes, emergency lighting and devices for wet environments.
The regulators estimate that these measures, together with the annual sale of around 400 million external power supplies, will lead to savings of 1070 TWh of electricity per year by 2030, demonstrating significant environmental and economic potential.