Each year over 400 million external power supplies (EPS) are sold in the EU. To increase consumer convenience as well as resource and energy efficiency, the Commission has revised today the ecodesign requirements for these devices. Manufacturers will have 3 years to prepare for the changes.
The rules cover EPS which charge or supply electricity to devices such as laptops, smartphones, wireless routers and computer monitors. EPS will have to meet higher energy efficiency standards and be more interoperable – for instance, all USB chargers on the EU market will need to have at least one USB Type-C port and will have to operate with detachable cables. These will be the Common Chargers.
This measure will reduce the energy and environmental footprints associated with the manufacture and use of the devices.
The new requirements are expected to make annual savings of around 3% of EPS lifecycle energy consumption by 2035 (corresponding to the energy used in 1 year by around 140 000 electric cars). They will also reduce 9% of related GHG emissions and around 13% of related pollutant emissions. Consumer expenditure can decrease by around €100 million per year by 2035.
Making EPS more interoperable will also lead to a considerable increase in consumer convenience.
All devices falling under the scope of the new interoperability rules will display the EU Common Charger logo, a distinct visual element that will help inform consumers and facilitate the matching between the charger and the powered devices.
Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen said:
'Having common chargers for our smartphones, laptops and other devices we use every day is a smart move that puts consumers first while cutting energy waste and emissions. The practical change we introduce today on external power supplies will help Europeans save money while reducing our environmental impact and proves that innovation can drive both progress and responsibility. With this initiative, the EU seeks to shape a future where technology works better for everyone and for the planet.'
Background
Today’s decision builds on the harmonisation of charging ports and fast charging technology for devices like smartphones, tablets or laptops under the revised Radio Equipment Directive. These additional changes to the Ecodesign Regulation for EPS put forward corresponding requirements for their chargers, and a more widespread usage of the Common Charger in general. This is expected to lead to additional 35 to 40% of the EU EPS market becoming interoperable on top of the approximately 50% that are already assumed to be because of the Radio Equipment Directive.
The new regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union in the coming weeks and enter into force 20 days later. The new rules will become applicable 3 years after that i.e. at the end of 2028.
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Details
- Publication date
- 13 October 2025
- Author
- Directorate-General for Energy