December 29, 2025 – According to a report from techAU today, the European Union is set to introduce new regulations starting December 2028, which is three years from now. These regulations will mandate that all external power adapters sold within the EU must feature USB-C ports. This requirement applies to a wide range of devices, including routers, computer monitors, and smart home hubs, with the goal of creating a more standardized charging experience for consumers.
For many years, numerous electronic devices have relied on proprietary circular power ports or had cables permanently attached to their power adapters. This has led to a significant issue: when a cable is damaged or an adapter is lost, the entire device often becomes unusable, ultimately contributing to the growing problem of “e-waste” filling up landfills.
The new regulations not only require chargers to have USB-C ports but also stipulate that the cables must be detachable. This means that if a cable breaks, users can simply purchase a new USB-C charging cable instead of having to replace the entire device or adapter.
The scope of the new rules extends to devices with power outputs of up to 240W, encompassing both low-power optical network terminals and high-performance gaming monitors. This implies that in the near future, a single high-quality GaN (gallium nitride) charger could potentially power all the devices on your desk.
The roots of this legislation can be traced back to the Radio Equipment Directive (RED). Under this directive, all smartphones, tablets, and cameras released after the end of 2024 are already required to support USB-C charging. Laptop computers will follow suit, with the USB-C port becoming mandatory from April 2026. Before the 2028 deadline, the industry has several years to refine the Power Delivery (PD) fast-charging protocol.
The European Commission claims that these new mandatory standards will bring about significant environmental benefits. They predict that by 2035, overall charger energy consumption will decrease by 3%, which, when converted into greenhouse gas emissions reductions, represents a substantial figure. Additionally, the new regulations introduce stricter standards for standby power consumption, meaning that chargers will use even less electricity when plugged in but not in use.
Furthermore, the EU estimates that by 2035, these mandatory standards will save consumers €100 million annually. To assist consumers in identifying compliant products, the EU plans to introduce a “universal charger” label. This label will not only indicate that a product meets the regulations but also clearly display the charger’s maximum output power, enabling consumers to quickly find the right charger for their needs.
It’s important to note that the EU is not mandating that chargers exclusively use USB-C ports; rather, it is promoting the adoption of a universal interface. In a 2017 interview, French journalist Nicolas Lellouche spoke with an EU parliamentarian who revealed that if the alliance responsible for USB standards were to decide on a circular USB-D port in the future, the European Commission would take notice and initiate a transition process.
Moreover, brands are allowed to offer two types of cables, as long as one of them is USB-C. For example, a computer that supports both USB-C and a proprietary standard could include a cable for the proprietary standard that offers higher charging power, providing consumers with more options while still complying with the regulations.
