One Standard. Multiple Design Possibilities.

Building on Directive (EU) 2022/2380

The EU's Common Charger Directive established USB Type-C as the standard charging interface for specified portable electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, digital cameras and headphones. Requirements began applying on 28 December 2024, extending to laptops on 28 April 2026.

Alongside standardising the charging port, the directive introduced requirements for harmonised fast charging and clearer consumer information about device charging capabilities. Regulation (EU) 2025/2052 builds on this approach, extending standardisation beyond the powered device to the external power supply itself.

What's changing under Regulation (EU) 2025/2052?

Applying from 14 December 2028, the new regulation establishes ecodesign requirements covering four main product groups:

• External Power Supplies (EPS): Power adapters used with devices such as laptops, smartphones, routers and other electronic equipment.
• Wireless Chargers and Charging Pads: Products using inductive power transfer.
• Portable Battery Chargers: Chargers for general-use rechargeable batteries, such as AA and AAA.
• USB Type-C Cables: Cable assemblies with USB-C plugs at both ends.

The regulation introduces requirements across several key areas:

USB-C Interoperability: Applicable AC-DC external power supplies must incorporate at least one USB Type-C or USB Power Delivery port, with no hard-wired output cable at those ports.

Energy Efficiency and Testing: Minimum efficiency requirements and limits on power consumption when external power supplies are not in use. Standby power limits for wireless chargers and charging pads, alongside updated testing rules for external power supplies, particularly those that automatically adjust their output.

Electrical Performance: Requirements covering output voltage stability and surge resistance for interoperable external power supplies.

Product Identification: A new Common Charger logo, USB-C output-port power markings and mandatory 60W or 240W markings on USB-C-to-USB-C cable plugs.

Exemptions apply to certain power supply configurations and applications

Standardised Interface. Flexible Design.

For hardware engineers, standardising the charging interface does not eliminate the need for application-specific connector selection.

PCB layout, enclosure constraints, mounting orientation and power capability remain important considerations when integrating USB-C into a design.

GCT offers a broad range of USB Type-C receptacles across horizontal, vertical and flag orientations, alongside elevated, compact and IP-rated configurations. Power Delivery-capable options supporting up to 240W provide additional flexibility for higher-power applications.

While the regulations establish requirements for finished products and charging systems, selecting a suitable USB-C receptacle remains an important part of the engineering process.