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Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

One common charging solution for all

The common charging solution promotes the use of common chargers for mobile phones and other portable electronic devices.

What the Commission is doing

The Commission promotes solutions that favour technological innovation in electronic device charging while avoiding market fragmentation. 

The voluntary approach did not meet consumer, European Parliament or Commission expectations, so we put forward a legislative approach. 

The common charger improves consumers’ convenience, reduce the environmental footprint associated with the production and disposal of chargers, while maintaining innovation. 

The ‘common charging’ solution

Two amendments of the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU introduce the ‘common charging’ solution:

The ‘common charging’ requirements apply to all handheld mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, portable speakers, handheld videogame consoles, e-readers, earbuds, keyboards, mice, and portable navigation systems since 28 December 2024. These requirements also apply to laptops since 28 April 2026. The main elements are as follows.

A harmonised charging port for electronic devices 

USB-C is the common port. This allows consumers to charge their devices with any USB-C charger, regardless of the device brand.

Harmonised fast charging technology 

Harmonisation of fast charging technology prevents different producers from unjustifiably limiting charging speed and ensures that charging speed is the same when using any compatible charger for a device.

Unbundling the sale of a charger from the sale of the electronic device 

Consumers are able to purchase a new electronic device without a new charger. This limits the number of chargers on the market or left unused. Reducing production and disposal of new chargers is estimated to reduce the amount of electronic waste by 980 tonnes yearly. 

Improved visual and written information for consumers 

Producers need to provide relevant visual and written information about charging characteristics, including information on the power the device requires and whether it supports fast charging. This helps consumers understand if their existing chargers meet their new device’s requirements and/or helps them select a compatible charger. Combined with the other measures, this helps consumers to limit the number of new chargers purchased and save at least €250 million a year on unnecessary charger purchases.

  • Download the high-resolution pictogram (set out in Directive (EU) 2022/2380 – Annex Ia Part III) for indication that a charging device is not included with the radio equipment
  • Download the high-resolution pictogram (set out in Directive (EU) 2022/2380 – Annex Ia Part III) for indication that a charging device is included with the radio equipment
  • Download the high-resolution label (set out in Directive (EU) 2022/2380 – Annex Ia Part IV) for specifications relating to the radio equipment’s charging capabilities and the compatible charging devices

Guidance for the interpretation of the Common Charger Directive

The guidance provides answers to the most frequently asked questions on the common charger with the aim to ensure a uniform interpretation and implementation of Directive (EU) 2022/2380.

Next Steps

Extension of scope

The requirements mentioned above apply to a broad range of electronic devices. This range may be extended further in the future. The Commission must review categories of radio equipment that can accommodate the ‘common charging’ requirements and regularly report to the European Parliament and the Council. 

Within that scope, the Commission published its first supporting study analysing the possible application of ‘common charger’ requirements to radio equipment not covered by the Directive in May 2025. Based on the study, the Commission submitted its first report on 30 June 2026. The report assessed several categories of products not currently covered by the ‘common charger’ and identified seven (i.e. smartwatches, fitness trackers, smart glasses, wristbands, AR/VR headsets, drones intended for personal purposes, video game controllers). Their inclusion could lead overall to improved consumer convenience and savings, as well as environmental benefits, and would not create technological barriers or safety issues related to extending the ‘common charger’ requirements. 

Unbundling of cables

By 28 December 2026, the Commission will report whether an extension to cables of the unbundling requirements and/or mandatory unbundling should be considered based on experience from the unbundling of charging devices. To support this, the Commission launched a study in 2025 analysing the possible application of the unbundling requirement from the ‘common charger’ to the cable.

Wireless charging

Furthermore, wireless charging technology is still developing, currently showing a low level of fragmentation, and a good level of interoperability among the different solutions. It therefore seems premature to set out mandatory requirements. However, to pave the way for a harmonised wireless charging solution and to limit potential future market fragmentation, the Commission assessed the various available technologies with an eye toward possible future harmonisation. You can find more details in the 2024 Study on wireless charging technologies. On 26 February 2025, the Commission adopted the M/607 standardisation request, instructing European Standardisation Organisations to develop the appropriate solution into a harmonised standard.

External Power Supplies (EPS)

Finally, to complement the common charging solution under the RED, interoperability on the side of the external power supply (a charger plugged into a wall’s electrical outlet) must also be achieved. In that respect, on 13 October 2025, the Commission adopted Regulation (EU) 2025/2052, laying down new ecodesign requirements for external power supplies (EPS). It will apply as of 14 December 2028 and will introduce the following main interoperability requirements to ensure the widespread use of the common charger

  • all radio equipment chargers on the EU market must be common chargers, i.e. chargers with at least one USB Type-C port by default
  • all common chargers and cables on the EU market should meet USB Type-C standards
  • EPS are to be placed on the EU market as common chargers, extending common chargers to a broader range of products beyond radio equipment to maximise interoperability
    • exemptions from this obligation apply, e.g. to EPS used in wet environments or with vacuum cleaners, certain power tools, toys and audio equipment
  • common chargers are to operate only with detachable cables and should be marked at each port with the power supported
  • common chargers must apply a new EU common charger logo

These two initiatives are therefore complementary and combining them will give the common charger a strong legislative framework.

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