The rules relating to the common charger shall apply to portable mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headsets without or with a microphone, portable video consoles, portable speakers, e-book readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems and internal headsets from 28 December 2024 and, for portable computers, from 28 April 2026. These rules apply to all devices of the previous classes that are introduced into the market of the European Union and, therefore, in Spain from those dates. The European directive has been transposed into the Spanish legal system by Royal Decree 442/2024, of 30 April.
common charger
Affected devices and date of application
Technical requirements for the common charger
The regulation does not in itself define the ‘common charger’, but lays down requirements relating to the harmonisation of cable charging for certain categories or classes of radio equipment, by requiring that such electronic devices can be charged by means of harmonised chargers, indirectly implying that chargers are interoperable.
In particular, it is established that the aforementioned devices are compatible with the harmonized charging receptacle (the USB-C receptacle). The use of other receptacles is not prohibited as long as the covered devices are also equipped with the USB type C receptacle described in EN IEC 62680-1-3. The standard also specifies the various USB power supply options available to radio equipment with a USB Type-C receptacle.
Separate sales of chargers and electronic devices
When an economic agent offers consumers and other end-users the option to purchase the device together with a charging device (charger or external power supply), it must also offer them the option to purchase the device without any charging device. Therefore, consumers will always have the possibility to purchase a new electronic device without charger.
Improving information for end users and consumers
Economic agents should ensure that information on whether or not a charger is provided along with the device is graphically displayed by means of an accessible and easily understandable pictogram.
In addition, information on the specifications for compatible charging capacities and charging devices should be available in the instructions accompanying the product. This information should include information on the power needed by the device and whether it is compatible with harmonised fast charging. This information should also be displayed graphically using an accessible and easily understandable pictogram.
For more information on the regulation on the common charger, you can consult the following information sheet: