A new smartphone or gadget often comes with its charger and cable. While progress has been made in recent years, it was often the case that these adapters were device specific and not necessarily compatible with other equipment.
This leads to electronic waste whose volumes become difficult to manage and lead to overconsumption of resources. Hence a European desire to impose on the one hand the USB-C connector to new electronic devices and on the other hand to impose a universal charger with which to recharge the different equipment.
A charger for almost everything
A single universal USB-C charger can thus charge smartphones, tablets, wireless headphones, mixed reality headsets, e-readers and other accessories (keyboard, mouse, portable speakers, digital cameras) that consume relatively little energy, before being recharged. tackle more energy-consuming equipment in 2026.
The decree signed on December 27, 2023 will come into force on December 28, 2024. On this date, the electronic devices concerned will no longer necessarily be delivered with a dedicated charger.
Charger included, charger absent: the new pictograms
To find your way there, pictograms will be used on the packaging to specify whether or not a charger is present in the box, knowing that it will be possible to purchase a universal charger or use an existing charger to recharge the devices.
Detailed information to find your way around
And because not all devices have the same energy needs, the pictogram must detail the charger information, specifying the supported power range and compliance with the standard. USB-PD (Power Delivery) which allows the connected device to be recognized and the power to be adapted according to its needs to ensure the fastest possible charge but always in a secure manner.
Here the charger can provide 4.5W to 30W and supports USB-PD
L’ANFR (National Radiofrequency Agency) will be responsible for controlling “the placing on the market of radio equipment compatible with the requirements specific to the universal charger“, by verifying compliance and the presence of the required information and with the possibility of sanctioning if necessary.
Laptops are next on the list to have to adapt to these new provisions but the deadline for application is set at 28 avril 2026.
