It is this Saturday, December 28 that the universal charger becomes mandatory in France.
Decree No. 2023-1271 of December 27, 2023 and its implementing order transposing into French law the European directive of November 23, 2022 known as “ universal charger » require a single connector for chargers for a wide range of electronic devices sold in France.
This directive also introduces the separate sale of electronic devices and their chargers in order to offer users choice when making a purchase. A device which is part of an approach to environmental protection, by reducing the volume of electronic waste, and simplification, by putting an end to the problem of different chargers for each device.
The directive initially applies to a wide range of electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, portable game consoles, portable speakers, keyboards, mice, VR headsets and e-readers.
This is the National Frequency Agency (ANFR) whose mission will be to control “the placing on the market of radio equipment compatible with the requirements specific to the universal charger».
From December 28, 2024, it will ensure that eligible devices placed on the French market are equipped with a port USB-C and that all information provided to consumers is sufficiently clear and complete, in accessible documentation. When non-compliance is noted, the Agency will have administrative police and sanction powers.
In order to best inform the user, each device must be accompanied by a standardized pictogram indicating the characteristics of the compatible charger.
Manufacturers and sellers of laptop computers have until April 26, 2026 to comply and allow this same universal USB Type-C charger to be able to charge all electronic devices, including laptops.
