A new label will become widespread on the packaging of electronic devices. It concerns the characteristics of the USB-C charging device, whether or not it is included in the box. And it’s in your best interest to examine it carefully!
The USB-C plug has become the mandatory universal standard for charging small and medium-sized electronic devices. This transposition of European regulations into French law came into force on December 28 (read our article). But that’s not all. While many manufacturers are now ignoring the presence of a charger in the box of their devices such as smartphones and tablets for example in order to reduce the quantity of electronic waste (and incidentally to achieve significant economies of scale) , new rules should also see the light of day before the end of 2024. They will allow consumers to see a little more clearly regarding charging devices compatible with new devices. Because if most smartphone manufacturers are struggling to increase the capacity of on-board batteries, the battle is being fought over the more or less rapid recharging of devices using appropriate chargers. And it becomes particularly difficult to find your way in this jungle.
How do you know, for example, that a charger is included with the device? And, if so, how do you know if this charger will deliver the best possible charging performance? And, in the absence of a charger provided, how do you know if a charging device is suitable for the product? Questions that will be answered by a small label affixed to the packaging of a wide variety of small and medium-sized electronic devices before the end of 2024. A draft order submitted at the moment and until the 24 Next July, the public consultation should result in the creation of a mandatory pictogram for categories or classes of radio equipment that can “be recharged by means of wired charging at voltages greater than 5 Volts, at currents greater than 3 Amps or at a power greater than 15 Watts”. This label, the design of which still remains to be validated following the consultation, must mention the minimum power required for recharging the device, the maximum power required to reach the maximum charging speed and the PD indication (for Power Delivery or power supply via USB port) if the device is compatible with this protocol.
If no charger is provided in the box, the pictogram displaying a crossed-out charger must appear on the packaging. This does not prevent the manufacturer from indicating the specifications of the required charger.
The USB-C socket, which has become the universal standard for charging small and medium-sized electronic devices, brings together several categories of equipment capable of being recharged with a cable. We note in passing that no information obligation is mentioned concerning the MagSafe (Apple) or Qi and Qi 2 wireless charging protocols. This may be the case in a second step. Here are the categories of devices affected by the presence of the new label:
- Portable mobile phones
- Tablets
- Digital cameras
- Headphones
- Headsets
- Handheld video game consoles
- Portable speakers
- Digital e-readers
- Keyboards
- Mouse
- Portable navigation systems
- In-ear headphones
- Laptop
Although included in the list, laptops will not immediately be affected by this label. In fact, their manufacturers benefit from additional time (until February 2026) to adopt the USB-C standard as a universal charging socket. As these devices consume more energy, the use of USB-C is not always suitable.