What is the EU Common Charger?

The European Union (EU) has standardized and harmonized charging technology for many personal electronics. Specified categories of radio equipment capable of wired charging must use USB-C charging technology. The changes involve several significant amendments to existing legislation. Producers who target the internal market must abide by these new EU Common Charger guidelines.

Applicable Legislation

The new EU Common Charger legislation lays out some important dates that affect different product classes. As a supplier, be aware of these dates and plan well for your response. For example, you may need to rethink the charging circuitry for devices sold in the EU. Your products will require new labeling and “unbundled” versions for sale, and you must offer consumers the option to purchase covered equipment without a charging device. Finally, remember that wired charging is only the beginning of new regulations for power technology. Be sure and anticipate similar guidelines for wireless charging and other methods.

Changes to the Legislation

Of course, these effects accompany some critical activity in ecodesign regulations. Significantly, the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU is receiving its most important amendment since 2018. In fact, many individual product classes have received new, planned, or updated directives alongside the Common Charger legislation. Finally, an overarching document encapsulates the requirements as its own entity while supporting all other changes.

Products Covered

From December 28, 2024	From April 28, 2026
Mobile Phones	Laptops
Tablets
Digital Cameras
Headphones
Headsets
Earbuds
Handheld Game Consoles
Portable Speakers
E-Readers
Keyboards
Mice
Portable Navigation Systems

Application Dates

The EU provided manufacturers with transition periods to redesign products, update packaging and labeling, and prepare the necessary conformity-assessment documentation.

USB-C and Fast-Charging Requirements

Concerns about waste and costs started over a decade ago when charging technology was proprietary for each device. Since then, the European Commission has worked alongside industry leaders with a mission: consolidating charging technology across devices. Indeed, the EU Common Charger requirements represent the culmination of efforts from several parties. The move comes with widespread impacts across many sectors:

Consumers save more than 10% of the money spent on charging accessories.
Electronic waste generated by disposed chargers decreases by almost 10%.
Clearly, this Directive doesn’t support proprietary charging solutions. Devices must use the protocols defined in IEC Standard 62680, the USB Power Delivery specification. Indeed, USB Power Delivery is required when covered equipment supports charging above specified voltage, current, or power thresholds
Similarly, fast-charging technologies must also standardize the rate of power supplied.
Other charging methods (e.g., wireless) can expect very similar regulations. This proactive strategy allows the commission to monitor any loopholes that develop. Therefore, it is harder for manufacturers to gain an unfair market advantage.
Since the Common Charger is mandatory for many popular types of devices, external power supplies and cords are interchangeable for almost every piece of personal electronics you own. Now you can start to recycle all those outdated charger cords!

Charger Unbundling

Suppliers must now provide devices with and without a packaged charger. This “unbundling” reduces waste at the point of sale. Importantly, consumers now have a choice of whether to add another charging accessory to their collection.

Packaging Pictogram and Charging Label Requirements

The EU Common Charger rules require covered products to display two distinct graphic elements that help consumers determine whether a charger is included and whether an existing charger is compatible.

Charger-Included Pictogram

A standardized pictogram must indicate whether a charging device is:

included with the product; or
not included with the product.

The pictogram must be clearly visible and legible on the packaging, either printed directly or applied as a sticker. For online and other distance sales, it must appear close to the product’s price. Manufacturers should use the official EU artwork rather than creating a modified version.

Charging-Specification Label

A separate standardized label must communicate the product’s charging requirements. It displays:

XX W: the minimum power required to charge the product;
YY W: the power required to achieve the product’s maximum charging speed; and
USB PD: when the product supports the USB Power Delivery charging protocol.

For example, a label showing “10–25 W” means that the equipment requires at least 10 W to charge and needs up to 25 W to reach its maximum charging speed.

The label must be printed in the instructions and displayed on the packaging, either directly or as a sticker. If the product has no packaging, it must normally be attached to the equipment. When the equipment’s size or nature prevents this, the label may be supplied as a separate accompanying document. For distance sales, the label must appear visibly and legibly close to the price.

Suggested compliance note

The charger pictogram and charging-specification label serve different purposes and both may be required. The pictogram tells consumers whether a charging device is included, while the label identifies the charging power and supported fast-charging technology.

The official high-resolution graphics can be downloaded from the European Commission’s Common Charger page. The legal display requirements appear in the consolidated Radio Equipment Directive.

Benefits of the Common Charger

Reduced electronic waste from unnecessary chargers
Greater interoperability between devices and chargers
Harmonized fast-charging technology
Clearer consumer information through mandatory pictograms and specifications
The option to purchase covered equipment without a charging device
Simplified product and accessory supply chains

A brief history of the EU Common Charger

Efforts to establish a common charger began with voluntary agreements between mobile-phone manufacturers. The EU subsequently adopted mandatory requirements through Directive (EU) 2022/2380, which amended the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU. The legislation supports the EU Circular Economy Action Plan by reducing electronic waste, improving consumer convenience and limiting market fragmentation.

How Enviropass Can Help

The USB-C legislation affects all of us, but producers bear the bulk of the responsibility for product requirements. Among these exciting developments, Enviropass can help you navigate product compliance.

EU Common Charger FAQ

What is the EU Common Charger Directive?

Directive (EU) 2022/2380 amended the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU to establish harmonized charging requirements for certain portable electronic devices. Its requirements cover USB-C charging, charging protocols, consumer information and the option to purchase equipment without a charging device.

Which products are covered by the EU Common Charger requirements?

The requirements cover mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld video-game consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems and earbuds that can be charged through a wired connection. Laptops are also covered.

When did the EU Common Charger requirements become mandatory?

The requirements have applied to the first 12 product categories since December 28, 2024. They have applied to laptops since April 28, 2026.

Must every covered product have a USB-C port?

Covered radio equipment that can be recharged through wired charging must generally incorporate a USB Type-C receptacle and be chargeable using compliant USB-C cables. Certain technical conditions and product-specific considerations may apply.

Does every product have to be sold without a charger?

Not necessarily. When an economic operator offers a covered product together with a charging device, consumers must also be given the option to purchase that product without one. A standardized pictogram must indicate whether a charging device is included.

What does the charger pictogram mean?

The EU charger pictogram tells consumers whether a charging device is included with the product. It must be clearly visible and legible on the packaging. In distance sales, including online sales, it must appear close to the price.

What information appears on the charging-specification label?

The standardized label identifies:

XX W: the minimum power required to charge the equipment;
YY W: the power required to achieve the equipment’s maximum charging speed; and
USB PD: whether the equipment supports USB Power Delivery.

This information helps consumers determine whether an existing charging device is compatible.

Where must the charging label be displayed?

The label must be included in the product instructions and displayed on the packaging, either printed directly or applied as a sticker. If there is no packaging, it must normally be attached to the equipment. When this is impractical because of the product’s size or nature, it may be provided as a separate accompanying document. For distance sales, it must appear close to the price.

Are the charger pictogram and charging label the same thing?

No. The pictogram indicates whether a charging device is included, while the label communicates the equipment’s charging-power requirements and, where applicable, USB Power Delivery support. Covered products may need to display both.

Do the requirements apply to wireless charging?

The current common-charger requirements principally address equipment rechargeable through wired charging. The EU continues to assess wireless-charging interoperability and may introduce or expand harmonization requirements in the future.

How can manufacturers demonstrate compliance?

Manufacturers should assess the product’s charging interface and protocols, verify the applicable power specifications, use the official pictogram and label, update packaging and instructions, and include supporting evidence in the product’s technical documentation. Compliance with the amended Radio Equipment Directive must also be reflected in the applicable conformity-assessment process and EU Declaration of Conformity.