PURPOSE: to revise the Radio Equipment Directive with a view to adopting measures for a universal charger for electronic devices (Universal Charger Directive).
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Directive (EU) 2022/2380 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 amending Directive 2014/53/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment.
CONTENT: the Directive provides that in 2024 a USB-C charging port will become mandatory for a range of electronic devices. As a result, most devices will be able to be charged from a common charger.
Categories of radio equipment
The new rules will apply to a wide range of portable devices from 28 December 2024:
- handheld mobile phones;
- tablets;
- digital cameras;
- headphones;
- headsets;
- handheld videogame consoles;
- portable speakers;
- e-readers;
- keyboards;
- mice;
- portable navigation systems;
- earbuds.
In addition, all laptops will also be affected by the new rules from 28 April 2026.
Possibility for consumers to purchase certain categories or classes of radio equipment without a charging device
Where an economic operator offers to consumers and other end-users the possibility to acquire the radio equipment together with a charging device, the economic operator will also offer the consumers and other end-users the possibility of acquiring that radio equipment without any charging device.
Economic operators will ensure that the information on whether or not a charging device is included with the radio equipment is displayed in a graphic form using a user-friendly and easily accessible pictogram when such radio equipment is made available to consumers and other end-users. The pictogram will be printed on the packaging or affixed to the packaging as a sticker.
A dedicated label indicating the specifications relating to charging capabilities and compatible charging devices would enable consumers and other end-users to determine the most appropriate charging device needed to charge their radio equipment. The information on the specifications relating to the charging capabilities and the compatible charging devices should also be included in the instructions and safety information accompanying the radio equipment.
Harmonised fast charging technology
The Directive ensures that devices that ensure fast charging will now have the same communication protocol for charging. This will help to ensure that the charging speed is the same regardless of the compatible charger used with an appliance.
Market surveillance
Where the market surveillance authorities of a Member State have sufficient reason to believe that radio equipment covered by this Directive presents a risk to the health or safety of persons or that it does not comply with at least one of the applicable essential requirements, they will carry out an evaluation in relation to the radio equipment concerned. The relevant economic operators will cooperate as necessary with the market surveillance authorities for that purpose.
Unbundled sales
The Directive allows consumers to buy a new device with or without a charger. By 28 December 2026, the Commission will submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the impact of the possibility to acquire radio equipment without any charging device and without cables. This report will be accompanied, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal to amend this Directive to introduce mandatory unbundling of the sale of charging devices and cables from the sale of radio equipment.
Wireless charging
Wireless charging has not yet been harmonised between devices. In order to make this technology available for more devices, the Commission will work on the harmonisation of wireless charging for electronic devices as well as on interoperability, based on technological developments to improve consumer convenience, reduce environmental waste and avoid market fragmentation.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 27.12.2022.
TRANSPOSITION: no later than 28.12.2023. Provisions applicable from 28.12.2024 and 28.4.2026 depending on the category or class of radio equipment.