The European Union takes another step forward in its “common charger” strategy. Starting in 2028, power adapters sold within the EU—traditional “bricks” and wall transformers—must be supplied with detachable USB-C cables. Additionally, USB-C cables will need to feature visible labels indicating their maximum power. The aim is twofold: to ensure genuine interoperability between devices and chargers, and to reduce both user confusion and electronic waste.
Far from being a cosmetic gesture, this change targets the most practical aspect of the USB-C ecosystem: the cable and power source. Two components that, if not well specified, can turn the charging experience into a lottery. With the new rules, users will be able to quickly identify whether a cable supports 60 W, 100 W, or 240 W, and replace it when worn out without discarding the entire charger.
What’s changing: detachable cable and visible power
The first point is the detachable output cable. For years, millions of adapters have ended up in drawers—or worse, disposed of—due to issues not in the electronics but in the cable itself: breaks near the connector, sheath pinches, or tension relief wear. Making the cable interchangeable extends the charger’s lifespan, reduces maintenance costs for homes and offices, and cuts down on waste volume.
The second change concerns power labels on USB-C cables. This shift has both cultural and technical implications. Culturally, because the new labels organize what was previously marketing ambiguity (“fast cable,” “turbo charge,” “PD compatible” without details). Technically, because, in USB-C, power delivery depends not just on the source but also on the cable and its conductors—and, at high power levels, on its e-marker chip. The label clarifies whether a cable can deliver 3 A (up to 60 W) or 5 A (up to 100 W/240 W, depending on profile). It prevents misunderstandings: if a laptop requires 100 W consistently, a “generic” cable won’t suffice.
True interoperability: from phone to monitor
The European framework goes beyond phones and tablets. The goal is for users to reuse sources and share cables across a wide range of products: consumer electronics, computing and telecom equipment, peripherals, monitors, and generally all external power sources with USB-C supporting up to 240 W. Practically, this means that a charger for an ultra-portable can power a dock or a USB-C monitor within the same range, and the labeled 100 W cable will serve today’s laptop and tomorrow’s device seamlessly.
For technical professionals, a clear benefit is more coherent homologation around USB Power Delivery (including EPR profiles up to 240 W) and the current signaling implemented by e-markers in 5 A cables. With mandatory labeling, the information already negotiated by chips is now front and center during purchase decisions.
Efficiency that matters when nobody’s looking
The European regulation also introduces—or tightens— efficiency requirements in often-overlooked scenarios: low load (e.g., maintaining a mobile at 95%) and standby consumption. It’s precisely under these conditions that many budget adapters reveal their shortcomings. The visible outcome will be less energy “drip” when the device is almost full and less electricity wasted by wireless charging bases that stay powered waiting for a phone to be placed.
For users, this will translate into slightly lower bills and, more importantly, a more predictable behavior: chargers that deliver stable performance both at full capacity and during the late stages of a charge cycle. For the environment, the mass adoption of sources with better consumption profiles reduces terawatt-hours annually.
What’s not part of the scope (yet) and why
The regulatory package is ambitious but not comprehensive. It doesn’t require—at least for now—manufacturers to sell devices without chargers (“unbundling”) in the box. That discussion, interesting for sustainability but controversial from a user experience perspective, remains ongoing. The focus here is on improving chargers and cables with common rules, minimum efficiency, and clear information.
In wireless charging, the emphasis is on standby consumption and transparency, rather than establishing a consistent active efficiency for disparate technologies. This is a domain of ongoing innovation, and regulators allow room for future adjustments.
It also doesn’t cover areas like lighting, tools, or light mobility, where electric needs and safety considerations differ. The goal is to maximize impact where volumes are large and turnover high: USB-C adapters and cables.
Industry impact: incremental redesign, clearer supply chain
For manufacturers and ODMs, the picture is one of incremental redesign rather than revolution. Detachable cables are already widespread in much of the USB-C lineup, and labeling requirements are integrated into packaging, silkscreening, and BOMs with minor adjustments. The real work will be in ensuring low-load efficiency across existing adapter families and standardizing interoperability messaging, which until now varied regionally or by brand.
For 5 A cables, the industry will need to intensify quality control—correct e-markers, proper AWG wire, contact resistance testing, and voltage drop assessments. The good news for channels is that clear labeling reduces returns due to unmet expectations (“my laptop isn’t charging fully”) and simplifies cross-selling with objective criteria.
Consumer: less confusion, less waste, more control
The immediate benefit for users is predictability. Choosing a cable will no longer involve navigating marketing claims: the maximum power will be printed and comparable across brands. Anyone buying a 2-meter cable labeled for 100 W will know it can fully power their laptop, and those needing 240 W for high-demand stations will know what to look for precisely.
Moreover, the ability to replace the cable without discarding the adapter introduces a practical economic element: fixing or swapping out parts in seconds that previously required a complete replacement. On a Europe-wide scale, this means less electronic waste, fewer raw materials, and lower transportation impact.
Clear timetable and reasonable transition
The requirement for adapters with detachable USB-C cables and power labeling comes into effect from 2028. In the meantime, manufacturers and distributors have a transition window to adjust designs, homologate products, and manage inventory. For the installed base, nothing changes overnight: current chargers will remain functional with compatible devices, and the ecosystem will trend, with each new purchase, towards fewer chargers and better cables.
Continuity in policy: from port to plug
Europe started with the standard connector in devices; now it tackles the plug and cable. The coherence across both fronts makes the “common charger” concept effective: if the port is standard but the cable does not specify its power capacity, or if the adapter is “locked” to a fixed cable that wears out quickly, interoperability is only partial. With interchangeable cables, visible power labels, and efficiency requirements that count even when users aren’t looking, the system becomes much more solid.
For the tech industry, this move sends a clear signal: anything causing friction and waste will exit the market; anything providing clarity, durability, and efficiency will set the standard. And for consumers, the message is simple and practical: fewer riddles about device charging, more lifespan for existing accessories, and greater control over purchasing decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly do the labels of 60 W, 100 W, and 240 W on USB-C cables mean?
They indicate the maximum power the cable can safely carry based on its gauge. For 100 W and 240 W cables, a chip e-marker ensures 5 A current support. A 60 W cable typically handles 3 A; a 100 W/240 W cable supports 5 A. When powering a laptop that demands 100 W, choose a cable labeled for 100 W or 240 W.
Will my current chargers and cables still work after 2028?
Yes. The regulation doesn’t invalidate existing equipment. The main change is that new products sold within Europe will require detachable USB-C cables, and power labels will be mandatory. Over time, this will standardize the equipment in circulation.
How will this impact wireless chargers and standby efficiency?
Wireless bases will have stricter limits on standby consumption to avoid unnecessary energy expenditure when not actively charging a device. Generally, adapters will also need to perform better at low load, reducing unnoticed energy “drip.”
What’s the effect on USB-C laptops, monitors, and docks?
Positive. By harmonizing requirements and information, it will become easier to reuse sources supporting up to 240 W and to select the right cable confidently, without trial and error. A single quality charger could power multiple devices, and labeling will prevent cables from limiting negotiated power between source and device.
via: Europe and Componentes