Batteries and charging

EU Declaration of Conformity for Car USB Chargers: requirements and checklist

By Ing. Jaroslav Křepelka, Owner, DoC solutions s.r.o. · Updated 29 October 2026

In short: A car USB charger for the 12/24 V socket is declared under the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU and the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU, usually with EN 50498 for aftermarket vehicle electronics; models with Bluetooth or an FM transmitter use the Radio Equipment Directive instead of EMC. The Low Voltage Directive does not apply at 12/24 V, and the ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2019/1782 does not either, because it covers only power supplies with a mains AC input.

A car charger converts the 12 or 24 V vehicle supply into USB power. It is aftermarket vehicle equipment, so as long as it does not interfere with the vehicle's functions it is CE marked like other electronics rather than type-approved with an E-mark, and its EMC is assessed with the standard written for exactly this kind of product.

This page covers cigarette-lighter USB chargers, including USB Power Delivery models, and the popular combination of a charger with a Bluetooth FM transmitter.

Checklist: what your car usb charger declaration must contain

Model exactly as on the charger, with each output and connectivity variant covered
Name and postal address of the manufacturer (and of the authorised representative, if appointed)
The statement that the declaration is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer
EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, or the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU instead for Bluetooth or FM transmitter models
RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU
The harmonised standards applied, with versions
Place and date of issue, name and function of the signatory, and the signature

Which EU legislation applies

Legislation	Applies?	In the DoC?	Notes
EMC Directive2014/30/EU	Applies	In the DoC: Yes	Switch-mode converters can disturb the vehicle's radio and electronics. EN 50498 is the EMC product standard for aftermarket electronic equipment in vehicles. Not cited separately where RED applies.
Radio Equipment Directive2014/53/EU	Depends on model	In the DoC: Yes	Chargers with Bluetooth or an FM transmitter. RED then covers safety, EMC and radio. FM transmitters must also respect the frequency and power conditions for short-range devices.
RoHS Directive2011/65/EU	Applies	In the DoC: Yes	Restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
Low Voltage Directive2014/35/EU	Usually not	In the DoC: No	The vehicle supply of 12 or 24 V DC is far below 75 V DC. Safety, including overheating and fire risk in the socket, is covered by the General Product Safety Regulation, or RED Article 3(1)(a) for radio models.
Ecodesign for external power suppliesRegulation (EU) 2019/1782	Usually not	In the DoC: No	It covers power supplies that convert AC power from the mains. A car charger has a DC vehicle input and is outside its scope.
Vehicle type approval (E-mark)UN Regulation No 10	Usually not	In the DoC: No	Not required for aftermarket equipment that is not related to immunity-related vehicle functions. CE marking under EMC (with EN 50498) or RED is the usual route.
WEEE Directive2012/19/EU	Applies	In the DoC: No	Producer registration in every EU country where you sell and the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol.

Typical harmonised standards

A harmonised standard gives presumption of conformity only in the version cited in the Official Journal of the EU. Always check the current list for each directive before you issue or update a declaration (European Commission: harmonised standards); the versions below are the ones commonly used at the time of writing, and the right selection depends on your product.

EMC

EN 50498:2010Electromagnetic compatibility — product family standard for aftermarket electronic equipment in vehicles
EN 55032:2015 + A11:2020 and EN 55035:2017 + A11:2020EMC of multimedia equipment, sometimes used in addition for the USB side

Safety (evidence under GPSR or RED)

EN 62368-1Safety of ICT equipment (current edition EN IEC 62368-1:2024 + A11:2024)

Bluetooth and FM transmitter models (RED)

ETSI EN 300 328 V2.2.2Bluetooth
ETSI EN 301 357Cordless audio devices, used for FM transmitters
ETSI EN 301 489-1 with the relevant part (-9, -17)EMC standard for radio equipment

Hazardous substances (RoHS)

EN IEC 63000:2018Technical documentation for the assessment of electrical and electronic products with respect to the restriction of hazardous substances

Already have a declaration for your car usb charger?

A certification expert checks it against everything on this page and tells you exactly what to fix. Written report in 48 hours, €99 per product (excl. VAT).

Among other things, we check for the mistakes we find most often:

The LVD is cited
The external power supply ecodesign regulation is cited
EMC tested as household equipment only

Free 16-point self-check →See a sample report (PDF) →

Common mistakes in car usb charger declarations

The LVD is cited
A 12/24 V car charger is far below the LVD range. Citing it shows the declaration was copied from a wall charger.
The external power supply ecodesign regulation is cited
Regulation (EU) 2019/1782 applies only to AC mains power supplies. Citing it for a car charger is a template error.
EMC tested as household equipment only
EN 50498 is written for vehicle aftermarket equipment and covers the vehicle supply conditions; tests to EN 55032 alone may not reflect the vehicle environment.
FM transmitter declared under the EMC Directive
A charger with an FM transmitter or Bluetooth is radio equipment and needs RED and the radio standards.
Output rating not supported
High-power USB-C PD outputs must be backed by temperature-rise tests in the confined space of the socket, where overheating is the main safety risk.

What you need besides the declaration

Technical documentation: EMC or radio test reports, the safety assessment including temperature rise, and RoHS documentation. Keep it for 10 years.
Marking and instructions: CE marking, crossed-out wheeled bin, input and output ratings, manufacturer details and safety instructions in the local language.
Economic operator in the EU: An importer, authorised representative or responsible person established in the EU (Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020).

No EU presence yet? We can act as your EU authorised representative or responsible person.

Frequently asked questions

Does a car USB charger need CE marking?

Yes, under the EMC Directive (or RED for Bluetooth and FM models) and the RoHS Directive. The Low Voltage Directive does not apply at 12/24 V.

Does a car charger need an E-mark?

Not usually. Aftermarket equipment that does not affect immunity-related vehicle functions is placed on the market with CE marking, assessed for EMC with EN 50498.

Do the EU ecodesign rules for chargers apply to car chargers?

No. Regulation (EU) 2019/1782 covers external power supplies with a mains AC input; a car charger has a DC vehicle input.

What does MyCECheck check on a car charger declaration?

That EMC or RED and RoHS are cited without the LVD and ecodesign, that EN 50498 and the radio standards fit, and that the product identification and the economic operator are in order. Written report within 48 hours.