On 23 September 2021, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal to amend the 2014 Radio Equipment Directive, as a first step towards mandating a common charger for mobile phones and other small portable devices. Under the proposal, these devices would have to be equipped with a USB Type-C receptacle that can be charged with cables compatible with USB Type C, and to incorporate the USB Power Delivery communication protocol. In this podcast, we’ll talk about a common charger for electronic devices, a proposal by the European Commission that could make our lives much easier if finally approved.

EPRS policy podcast - A common charger for electronic devices: Revision of the Radio Equipment Directive

EU rules on product safety are defined in the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD). Under the directive a product is safe if it meets all statutory safety requirements under European or national law. If there are no regulations or EU standards referenced in the Official Journal of the European Union, the product's compliance is determined according to other reference documents such as other European standards, national or international standards, Commission recommendations, or codes of practice. The General Product Safety Directive applies to consumer products when there are no specific provisions with the same objective in the rules of EU Law governing the safety of the products concerned.&nbsp;

Concerning toys, they are specifically covered by the stricter&nbsp;Toy Safety Directive&nbsp;(2009/48/EC).&nbsp;The EU's Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) is the legislation that sets safety criteria for toys marketed in the European Union to ensure they do not pose a risk to children's health and safety. It covers general and specific risks, including physical, flammability, chemical, and electrical hazards. All toys sold in the EU must have a CE mark, which indicates compliance with the directive and other applicable laws, and the directive defines a "toy" as any product intended for play by children under 14.&nbsp;

The European Parliament has supported a new toy safety regulation, reaching a provisional agreement with the Council in April 2025 and approving the Council's position in November 2025. The new rules reinforce safety standards by banning or restricting hazardous chemicals like PFAS and endocrine disruptors, introducing digital product passports for better traceability, and banning allergenic fragrances in certain toys.&nbsp;

Consumer product safety

Standardisation is a key part of the EU's single market infrastructure. Ensuring that the development of standards proceeds smoothly, getting standards to markets faster and stepping up their use in areas such as information and communication technology (ICT) and services are essential to drive renewed growth in Europe.

Standardisation (2019-2020)

Following Parliament’s approval during October I plenary, EU consumers will soon be able to use a single charging solution for their electronic devices.

&nbsp;By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops. The new law, adopted by plenary on Tuesday with 602 votes in favour, 13 against and 8 abstentions, is part of a broader EU effort to reduce e-waste and to empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.

Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices.

Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.

Council will have to formally approve the Directive before it is published in the EU Official Journal. It will enter into force 20 days after publication. Member states will then have 12 months to transpose the rules and 12 months after the transposition period ends to apply them. The new rules would not apply to products placed on the market before the date of application.

Common EU charger

Press conference on the final vote on Common charger in the European Parliament

EP Plenary session - Radio Equipment Directive: common charger for electronic devices

IMCO trilogue on Common charger

IMCO Committee - Vote on a draft EU law establishing one common charger for all mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras and other mobile electronic devices

IMCO Committee - Common Chargers, Machinery Regulation, Report back form Trilogue.

Following the European Parliament’s approval, EU consumers will soon be able to use a single charging solution for their electronic devices. By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026 (28 April), the obligation will extend to laptops. This infoclip shows common chargers used for mobile phones, laptops, tablets, e-book readers and other portable devices. Citizens using common chargers (USB C) for handy, tablets and laptops.

Infoclip: Common charger for laptops, tablets and phones

Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&D, MT), rapporteur on the final vote on Common charger in the European Parliament, gives a press conference after the final vote in plenary.

Press conference by Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&D, MT), rapporteur, on the final vote on common charger

Parliament debates the new law establishing a single charging solution for mobile phones, tablets and other portable electronics in the EU. From autumn 2024, a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras and headphones, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. This law is part of a broader effort to make products in the EU more sustainable, reduce e-waste and make consumers’ lives easier. Extracts from the debate, extracts from the vote and illustration shots.

Radio Equipment Directive - common charger for electronic devices: extracts from the debate, from the vote and illustration shots

Voting session on the following items: Slot utilisation rules at Union airports; European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; Striving for a sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture; The impact of new technologies on taxation: crypto and blockchain; Management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Indian Ocean Tuna; Flexible Assistance to Territories (FAST-CARE); Radio Equipment Directive: common charger for electronic devices; Accessible EU Centre in support of accessibility policies in the EU internal market; EU Customs Single Window; Statistics on agricultural input and output; Amending Annexes IV and V to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on persistent organic pollutants.

Votes including Radio Equipment Directive: common charger for electronic devices

Parliament debates the new law establishing a single charging solution for mobile phones, tablets and other portable electronics in the EU. From autumn 2024, a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras and headphones, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. This law is part of a broader effort to make products in the EU more sustainable, reduce e-waste and make consumers’ lives easier. Closing statement by Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&D,MT), Rapporteur.

Radio Equipment Directive - common charger for electronic devices: closing statement by Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&D, MT), Rapporteur and by Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age

Parliament debates the new law establishing a single charging solution for mobile phones, tablets and other portable electronics in the EU. From autumn 2024, a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras and headphones, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. This law is part of a broader effort to make products in the EU more sustainable, reduce e-waste and make consumers’ lives easier. MEPs debate (part 2).

Radio Equipment Directive - common charger for electronic devices: MEPs debate (part 2)

Parliament debates the new law establishing a single charging solution for mobile phones, tablets and other portable electronics in the EU. From autumn 2024, a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras and headphones, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. This law is part of a broader effort to make products in the EU more sustainable, reduce e-waste and make consumers’ lives easier. MEPs debate.

Radio Equipment Directive - common charger for electronic devices: MEPs debate (part 1)

Parliament debates the new law establishing a single charging solution for mobile phones, tablets and other portable electronics in the EU. From autumn 2024, a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras and headphones, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. This law is part of a broader effort to make products in the EU more sustainable, reduce e-waste and make consumers’ lives easier. Opening statement by Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&D, MT), Rapporteur and by Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age, and Commissioner for Competition.

Radio Equipment Directive - common charger for electronic devices: opening statement by Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&D, MT), Rapporteur and by Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Europe fit for the Digital Age

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