Charging a laptop over USB-C – the EU rules and choosing a charger
What the EU common charger directive means for laptops from 28 April 2026, what USB Power Delivery is, the label with minimum and maximum power, and how to choose a charger.
The short version
- Laptops placed on the EU market from 28 April 2026 must have a USB-C charging port and be chargeable by cable according to the USB Type-C standard.
- If a laptop charges at more than 15 W (or more than 5 V or 3 A), it must support USB Power Delivery.
- The packaging and manual must state the minimum and maximum charging power in watts, and show a pictogram indicating whether a charger is included.
What exactly applies
Directive (EU) 2022/2380 added Annex Ia to the Radio Equipment Directive, listing the categories of devices that must have a USB-C charging port. Phones, tablets, cameras, headphones, handheld games consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, sat navs and earbuds have been covered since 28 December 2024. Laptops since 28 April 2026.
The directive defines laptops broadly: any portable computer, including ultra-portable, hybrid and convertible devices and netbooks. It only applies to battery-powered devices that can be charged by cable.
| Requirement | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| USB-C port (EN IEC 62680-1-3) | you can charge the laptop with a standard USB-C cable; the port must always be accessible and working |
| USB Power Delivery above 15 W | any compatible USB PD charger will charge the laptop, if perhaps more slowly |
| Other protocols must not limit USB PD | the maker can have its own fast charging, but USB PD must work in full |
| Min.–max. W label | you know which charger you need |
| “Charger included / not included” pictogram | the retailer must also offer the option to buy without a charger |
The directive applies to devices placed on the market from that date. Laptops that were already on the market are unaffected and can still be sold.
How to read the label
The packaging and manual will state “the charger must deliver between XX W and YY W”. XX is the minimum at which the laptop starts charging at all. YY is the power at which it charges fastest. If the label also says “USB PD”, the laptop supports USB Power Delivery.
Power and the cable
USB-IF states that USB Power Delivery was originally limited to 100 W (20 V, 5 A), and revision 3.1 introduced 28, 36 and 48 V, allowing 140, 180 and 240 W. The cable must also be rated for such power levels. A cable without a power rating will usually carry 60 W (3 A at 20 V).
The connector is not the speed
USB 2.0, USB 3.2, USB4 and Thunderbolt all use the same USB-C connector. Whether a port carries video or 40 Gb/s data has nothing to do with its shape. See the interface comparison and the connector atlas.
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Notes and sources
- EUR-Lex: Directive (EU) 2022/2380 – the common charger (USB-C)
- USB-IF: USB Charger (USB Power Delivery) – up to 240 W
We opened every link above and compared the figures on 12 October 2026. The pages belong to their publishers and can change after that date.
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