FAQEU

RED common charger FAQ USB-C scope

The EU common charger rules under the Radio Equipment Directive apply to listed rechargeable radio equipment that can be charged by wire, with most listed handheld devices covered from 28 December 2024 and laptops from 28 April 2026.

Use this FAQ to answer whether a device is in scope, what USB-C and USB Power Delivery duties apply, and what label, pictogram, charger-option, instruction, and evidence records should be kept.

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Author
Sorena AI
Published
May 9, 2026
Updated
May 9, 2026
Questions
4

Structured answer sets in this page tree.

Primary sources
4

Cited legal and guidance references.

Publication metadata
Sorena AI
Published May 9, 2026
Updated May 9, 2026
Overview

The EU RED common charger rules are not a general rule for every electronic product. They apply to the radio equipment categories listed in Annex Ia when the product can be recharged by wired charging. For a practical decision, identify the product category, the wired-charging capability, the application date, the USB-C and USB Power Delivery requirements, whether a charger is bundled, and the consumer label and pictogram evidence. Digital cameras designed exclusively for the audiovisual sector or the security and surveillance sector are outside the intended digital-camera scope, and earbuds are treated together with their dedicated charging case or box.

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4 of 4 questions
Question 1

Which radio equipment must meet the EU Common Charger rules?

The rules apply to the Annex Ia categories of radio equipment when they are capable of being recharged by wired charging. The listed categories are handheld mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld videogame consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds, and laptops.

For Annex Ia points 1.1 to 1.12, Member States apply the common charger measures from 28 December 2024. For laptops, listed in point 1.13, the application date is 28 April 2026.

Digital cameras designed exclusively for the audiovisual sector or the security and surveillance sector are not meant to be covered by the common charger scope for digital cameras. Earbuds are assessed together with their dedicated charging case or box, because the case is part of how that product is used.

  • Answer scope from the Annex Ia category list, not from a broad electronics or accessory description.
  • Confirm whether the device can be recharged by wired charging before applying the USB-C charging-interface requirements.
  • Apply the 28 December 2024 date to the listed handheld device categories and the 28 April 2026 date to laptops.
  • Do not treat wireless charging as already covered by the wired-charging USB-C rule; the Commission is separately tracking wireless charging standardisation.
Citations
Question 2

What must the USB-C and fast-charging design support?

For in-scope wired-charging equipment, the design record should show the USB Type-C receptacle, cable compatibility, and whether the receptacle stays accessible and operational in the shipped configuration.

For equipment above 5 V, above 3 A, or above 15 W, keep a separate USB Power Delivery and additional-protocol review. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1717 updated the technical specification references to EN IEC 62680-1-3:2022 for USB Type-C and EN IEC 62680-1-2:2022 for USB Power Delivery.

  • Record the final hardware interface and cable-charging evidence for each product variant.
  • Record voltage, current, and power assumptions used to decide whether the USB Power Delivery threshold is triggered.
  • Check any proprietary or additional fast-charging protocol against the requirement to preserve full USB Power Delivery functionality.
  • Use the updated 2022 EN IEC 62680 references when documenting the applicable technical specifications.
Citations
Question 3

What charger, label, pictogram, and instruction information is required?

If an economic operator offers in-scope radio equipment together with a charging device, it must also offer consumers and other end-users the possibility to acquire that equipment without any charging device.

The product must use the required pictogram to show whether a charging device is included. Manufacturers must include charging-capability and compatible-charger information in the instructions and display the required label. For distance selling, the pictogram and label must be visible and legible close to the price indication.

  • Keep proof of the charger-included or charger-not-included pictogram on packaging and online product pages.
  • Keep the no-charger purchase option evidence whenever the same in-scope equipment is offered with a charging device.
  • Keep the Part IV label showing minimum and maximum charging power values and USB PD text where USB Power Delivery is supported.
  • Keep instructions and safety information that describe charging capabilities and compatible charging devices in the required market language.
Citations
Question 4

What evidence should support a Common Charger decision?

Keep enough evidence for a reviewer to follow the decision without project history. The record should tie the product variant to the Annex Ia category, application date, wired-charging capability, USB-C and USB Power Delivery assessment, charger-in-box choice, consumer information, and retained source URLs.

Reopen the decision when hardware, firmware, charging protocol, supplier, packaging, marketplace listing, standard reference, category interpretation, or legal text changes.

  • Maintain a dated scope memo that identifies the product category, charging capability, market placement plan, and application date.
  • Attach design evidence for USB Type-C, cable charging, USB Power Delivery where triggered, and any additional charging protocol.
  • Attach packaging, label, pictogram, instruction, product-page, distance-selling, distributor, and marketplace evidence.
  • Name the owner for the decision and the trigger for review after product or legal changes.
Citations
Recommended next step

Turn common charger answers into release evidence

Use this RED common charger FAQ as a cited workflow for product, regulatory, quality, packaging, ecommerce, legal, and distributor teams. Keep scope, dates, USB-C design evidence, charger options, labels, pictograms, and review triggers together.

Research workflow
Open Research Copilot

Answer RED scope, timing, and interpretation questions with cited outputs.

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Talk through common charger implementation

Review scope, USB-C evidence, consumer information, and release controls.

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Primary sources

References and citations

Directive (EU) 2022/2380 common charger amendment
eur-lex.europa.eu
Referenced sections
  • Primary legal amendment for common charger scope, application dates, design duties, unbundling, labels, pictograms, and instructions.
"Radio equipment falling within the categories or classes specified in Part I of Annex Ia"
European Commission - one common charging solution for all
single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu
Referenced sections
  • Commission implementation overview for common charger elements and ongoing review of additional categories, wireless charging, and unbundling experience.
"The main elements are as follows."
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