Universal charger compulsory in France: on what date, what types of devices and why this decision?

This pioneering legislation in the world will be required for mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, headsets, digital cameras, wireless headphones, portable video game consoles, GPS, keyboards and mice. computers, as well as portable speakers. And this, regardless of their manufacturer.

For laptops, the effective date is April 26, 2026.

Please note that products already put on sale in Europe before December 28, 2024 and resold second-hand are not affected by this obligation, according to the Les Numériques website.

• 3 Why this decision?

  The goal is to reduce waste. While there were still around thirty different models around ten years ago, the number of existing types of chargers for new electronic devices is already heavily concentrated on three models: the Micro USB connector which has long equipped the majority of phones, USB-C, a newer connection, and Apple's Lightning charging technology.

  “Thanks to this measure, 11,000 tonnes of electronic waste will be avoided each year according to the European Commission, a concrete step forward in reducing Europe's environmental footprint,” Bercy estimated in December 2023.

• 4 What type of charger will be widespread?

  The USB-C type port will have to become the only charger for portable electronic devices sold in the EU by fall 2024, to the great dismay of the American giant Apple which until now has its own standard.

  “Companies must, moreover, offer consumers a separate sale of the device and the charger and indicate this using a pictogram,” specified the French Ministry of the Economy.

• 5 Who will monitor the proper application of this European decision?

According to the decree published in the Official Journal, it is the National Frequency Agency which will be responsible for controlling “the placing on the market of radio equipment compatible with the requirements specific to the universal charger”.