The EU Orders Manufacturers to Equip Chargers with Detachable USB-C Cables
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The European Union has approved legislation that will require manufacturers to equip chargers and external power supplies for a wide range of consumer electronics with detachable USB-C cables starting in 2028. The regulation applies to power supplies up to 240W, including chargers for gaming consoles, monitors, routers, wireless chargers, set-top boxes, and PoE injectors for Ethernet.
The new EU legislation applies to all types of power supplies officially defined as “external power supplies” (EPS). The key goals are interchangeability and sustainability, allowing users to share a single power supply and cable between devices, as is already the case with smartphones and tablets.
The updated regulations apply to power supplies with a power output of up to 240W, which must have at least one USB-C port and a detachable cable. Power delivery complies with the USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) standard.
Energy efficiency requirements are also being established. All EPS with a power output greater than 10 W must meet minimum efficiency ratings at a load of 10% or higher. Wireless charging pads must have reduced standby power consumption, and their power supplies must be external to ensure they can be replaced or reused. Furthermore, power supplies now require a mandatory level of protection against surge interference—a measure particularly relevant for devices used with routers and Wi-Fi access points.
