Consumer

The EU’s common charging rules now cover laptops

The laptop phase began in April 2026, after earlier requirements for phones and other devices.

A close-up of the reversible connector on a USB-C plug
A USB-C plug photographed up close. Illustrative photo. Web-sized copy. Tomato86 · CC BY-SA 4.0

EU common-charger rules extended to covered laptops in April 2026. Earlier requirements applied to categories such as mobile phones, tablets and portable cameras. The rules make USB-C the common charging port for equipment within their scope.

The measure also addresses how charging equipment is sold and how buyers receive information about charging capabilities. For a consumer, the port provides a common connection. The device's power requirements and the charger's capabilities still matter when choosing equipment.

Sources

  1. single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu