EU Declaration of Conformity for Phone Chargers and USB Power Adapters: requirements and checklist

Checklist: what your phone charger / usb power adapter declaration must contain

• Model exactly as on the charger, listing each output-power variant and plug type (EU, UK, etc.) 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
• Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU
• RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU
• Ecodesign: Directive 2009/125/EC and Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1782 on external power supplies
• The harmonised standards applied, with year and amendments
• Place and date of issue, name and function of the signatory, and the signature

Which EU legislation applies

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.

Common mistakes in phone charger / usb power adapter declarations

1. The ecodesign regulation for external power supplies is missing

   Regulation (EU) 2019/1782 carries CE-marking obligations, so it belongs in the declaration together with Directive 2009/125/EC. The old Regulation (EC) No 278/2009 it replaced is sometimes still cited.

2. EN 60950-1 is still cited

   The old IT equipment safety standard was replaced by EN 62368-1 and is no longer cited in the Official Journal.

3. Ecodesign information missing

   Regulation 2019/1782 requires output power, voltage and current on the nameplate, and the efficiency and no-load values in the instructions and on a free-access website. Missing information or measurements are an easy finding for market surveillance.

4. Plug variants treated as one product

   EU, UK and other plug versions, or chargers with interchangeable plug heads, need to be identified in the declaration and covered by the test evidence.

5. Wireless pad declared under LVD and EMC

   A Qi charging pad communicates with the phone and is radio equipment, so it needs RED and its radio standards.

6. No EU economic operator

   A charger sold directly from outside the EU still needs an importer, authorised representative or responsible person established in the EU, identified on the product, packaging or an accompanying document.

What you need besides the declaration

Technical documentation

Circuit diagram and PCB layout, critical component list (transformer, optocoupler, Y-capacitors, fuse), safety, EMC and efficiency test reports, and RoHS documentation. Keep it for 10 years.

Marking

CE marking, the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol, model, rated input, and output power, voltage and current as required by Regulation 2019/1782; the manufacturer's name and contact address on the product or, where not possible, the packaging.

Instructions and safety information

In the language of each EU country where the charger is sold.

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