Ecodesign 2025/2052 is coming: What makers of power accessories need to change before December 2028

The European Commission has adopted Commission Regulation(EU) 2025/2052 under the Ecodesign framework.
It adds stricter rules for:

• External power supplies (EPS) (power adapters / “wall chargers”)
• Wireless chargers and charging pads
• Battery chargers for portable “general use” batteries
• USB-C cables

The Commission’s message is straightforward: products must be more energy efficient, deliver reliable power output, work better with other brands (interoperability / “Common Charger”), withstand power surges, and provide clear information to users.

Even though the Regulation applies from 14 December 2028, manufacturers should start now because it affects product design, testing, labelling, and documentation throughout the supply chain.

Reference: Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2052.)

1) The scope is wider than many teams expect

More products fall under the rules than people assume. TheCommission lists EPS, portable battery chargers, wireless chargers/pads, andUSB-C cables as in scope, while also listing common exclusions (for example: UPS units, some medical-device power supplies, e-bike/transport chargers, andcases where DC conversion mainly happens inside the main device, such as manyTVs/laptops with USB ports).

What this means:
Do a SKU-by-SKU review early—especially for bundles, private-label accessories, and region-specific packs. A “small” accessory charger can become the thingthat blocks compliance for an entire product bundle.

2) Efficiency compliance depends heavily on how you test

The Regulation updates the testing rules for energyefficiency. It explicitly calls out things like adaptive behaviour (chargersthat change output depending on what’s connected), and sets limits for minimum efficiency and maximum standby/no-load power use.

What this means:
Don’t treat efficiency as a last-minute checkbox. You’ll need:

• A test plan that matches the Regulation’s measurement approach
• A lab strategy that gives repeatable results across engineering tests, supplier checks, and final compliance evidence

3) “Common Charger” isn’t optional — it’s a design requirement

Interoperability is built into the ecodesign rules. The Commission is clear that compatibility with the Common Charger is required, so consumers need fewer different chargers and cables. There are also specificrequirements for USB-C ports and USB-C cables.

What this means:
If you use captive cables, proprietary connectors, or designs where a pad andpower brick must be “paired,” expect redesign work. This may affect:

• Mechanical design and tooling
• Connector choices
• EMC checks (electrical interference testing)
• User instructions and product documentation

4) Information and markings will affect packaging, molds, and websites

The Regulation adds structured requirements for what youmust tell customers and how you must mark products, including:

• Nameplate / product markings
• Information on a manufacturer website that must be freely accessible
• Common Charger logo
• Port markings and cable markings

What this means:
This becomes cross-functional. Packaging artwork, molded/overmolded markings, and website content need to be handled like regulated outputs—not “marketingtasks.” Cable and enclosure suppliers also need clear contractual requirementsfor marking quality and traceability.

5) Prepare for market checks, not just self-declaredcompliance

Even if your conformity assessment is done internally, enforcement happens externally. Authorities can test products against theRegulation’s defined conditions. Public summaries already highlight that this regulation replaces the previous EPS rules and sets requirements across thesecategories.

What this means:
Treat your technical file as audit-ready, including:

• Test reports
• Declared parameters
• Evidence that design and documentation changes are controlled, consistent, and easy to retrieve

What to do in 2026–2027

• Run a gap assessment by product family (EPS, wireless, chargers, cables) against the Regulation’s requirement areas
• Build a pre-compliance test program, especially for adaptive chargers and USB-C behavior
• Lock down supplier specs for connectors, cable assemblies, and all required markings
• Assign clear ownership for documentation + website publishing, so information obligations don’t fail at launch