EU Compliance Guide USB Charging Module EU Compliance Guide for European Buyers |
Which EU Regulations Apply to USB Charging ModulesEuropean buyers sourcing embedded USB charging modules for furniture products face a compliance landscape that has shifted materially since December 2024. The EU Common Charger Directive — published in the Official Journal of the European Union as Regulation (EU) 2023/1717 and in force since 28 December 2024 — mandates USB Type-C ports across a wide range of consumer electronics. However, the implications for B2B embedded charging modules used in commercial furniture — including conference table charging integration — are more nuanced and require separate analysis under at least three distinct regulatory frameworks. The standards most directly applicable are: IEC 62680 (the USB Power Delivery Specification, Revision 3.2, Version 1.1, published October 2024 by the USB Promoter Group and the USB-IF), IEC 62368-1 (the audio/video and information technology equipment safety standard), and the Radio Equipment Directive (EU RED 2014/53/EU, as amended). CE marking is mandatory for all three. Understanding which standard applies to your specific product configuration is the first step in building a compliant procurement specification. What Each Regulation Requires in PracticeIEC 62680 — USB Power Delivery SpecificationIEC 62680 is the foundational standard governing USB Power Delivery. The USB-IF Conformity to IEC 62680 (USB) Specifications Program creates a structured process for OEMs and ODM to demonstrate conformity with this standard. Under this program, products undergo testing through USB-IF-approved independent test laboratories. Upon passing, products may carry the USB-IF logo and are registered in the USB-IF Integrators List. For embedded USB charging modules destined for commercial furniture, IEC 62680 compliance is typically required when the module must support USB Power Delivery profiles — which is increasingly standard for modules rated above 15W. The standard defines voltage and current profiles (5V, 9V, 15V, 20V, and higher), communication protocols between source and sink devices, and connector geometry requirements for USB Type-C receptacles. IEC 62368-1 — Safety Standard Under EU REDUnder EU RED, radio equipment designed for wired charging must incorporate USB Type-C receptacles according to EN IEC 62680-1-1. More broadly, IEC 62368-1 applies as the safety standard for audio/video and information technology equipment, including USB charging hardware. The standard classifies equipment into three categories (PG0, PG1, PG2) based on potential energy hazards and requires safeguards such as insulation, spacing, and thermal management appropriate to each category. EN IEC 62368-1:2023 (the European adoption of IEC 62368-1 Edition 4) became the applicable harmonised standard for EU RED conformity from 5 October 2023. For USB charging modules, this means the enclosure must be evaluated for electric shock protection, the thermal characteristics of the charging circuitry must be assessed under fault conditions, and the USB connector interface must withstand the mechanical insertion cycles specified in the standard. EU Common Charger Directive (Regulation 2023/1717)The EU Common Charger Directive targets consumer-facing devices and specifies that devices must support charging at 5V DC and meet the USB Power Delivery communication protocol. While some categories of radio equipment are explicitly exempted, the directive creates market pull for USB Type-C implementation regardless of direct applicability. In practice, European buyers for commercial furniture increasingly specify USB Type-C with PD compliance as a procurement requirement, using the directive as the benchmark. Common Compliance Gaps in This Product CategoryBased on technical audits of USB charging module submissions in the furniture integration sector, several recurring compliance gaps appear: | Misapplication of IEC 62368-1 scope: Some modules are evaluated under IEC 60950-1 (the now-withdrawn IT equipment safety standard) rather than IEC 62368-1. IEC 60950-1 was formally withdrawn on 20 December 2020 and cannot be used for new CE marking under EU RED. All modules currently in procurement qualification should have IEC 62368-1 test reports. | | Missing EN IEC 62680-1-1 test reports: USB-IF certification (logo program) is distinct from the harmonised standard test report required for CE marking. A product with a valid USB-IF Integrators List registration does not automatically satisfy EN IEC 62680-1-1 for EU RED unless the specific test lab accreditation covers the harmonised standard scope. | | Incomplete thermal testing: IEC 62368-1 requires measurement of component temperatures under maximum rated load and under single-fault conditions. Many module datasheets provide thermal data only at nominal load. Procurement specifications should require thermal test reports at full rated current in the intended furniture installation context (potentially enclosed, with limited airflow). | | E-marker requirements: USB Type-C cables operating above 3A or at voltages above 5V require electronic markers (E-markers) as defined in the USB Type-C specification. Modules intended for use with cable assemblies above 3A must specify and verify E-marker presence in connected cables. Failure to address this results in non-compliance with the USB specification and potential safety issues under IEC 62368-1. |
Market Access Requirements by Target RegionUSB Charging Module Compliance Requirements by Region| Region | Primary Standard | Certification Mark | Key Documentation |
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| European Union | EN IEC 62368-1, EN IEC 62680-1-1, EU RED | CE Mark | EU Declaration of Conformity, test reports from EU-notified body | | United Kingdom | BS EN 62368-1, UK USB Charging Regulations | UKCA Mark | UK Declaration of Conformity | | United States | UL 62368-1, USB-IF certification | UL Listed / cUL | NRTL test report, USB-IF Integrators List registration | When Compliance Is More Complex Than ExpectedThree scenarios regularly create unexpected complexity in the compliance qualification of USB charging modules for furniture OEM: | 1 | Modules rated above 60W fall into a more demanding classification under IEC 62368-1, with increased requirements for insulation coordination and, in some configurations, mandatory fire enclosure provisions. Furniture OEM buyers frequently assume that the module datasheet covers all required assessments — but a module rated at 65W USB PD in an enclosed furniture installation may require supplemental thermal management evaluation that is not in the base test report. | | 2 | The combination of USB charging with integrated AC power sockets in the same furniture module triggers additional requirements under EU Low Voltage Directive (LVD 2014/35/EU) for the AC portion. While the USB charging circuit itself typically operates below the 50V AC threshold that activates LVD, the presence of an adjacent mains-powered socket in the same assembly can affect the overall equipment classification. The module must be evaluated as part of the complete assembly, not in isolation. | | 3 | The scope of EU RED extends to modules with wireless charging functionality integrated alongside wired USB charging. If the furniture module includes Qi wireless charging or any radio transmission function (such as Bluetooth for smart desk systems), the module falls under EU RED Article 3.2 for radio spectrum emissions and requires additional testing and EU-type examination by a notified body in many cases. |
Supplier Verification for Compliance ClaimsTechnical Support teams at qualified manufacturers can provide the compliance documentation required at each verification stage. Buyers should not accept a supplier's declaration of compliance at face value. The following verification steps are minimum requirements: | 1 | Request the actual test report (not merely a declaration) from an accredited test laboratory. Verify that the test lab accreditation number corresponds to an EU-notified body or equivalent national accreditation body (such as UKAS, DAkkS, or CNAS). | | 2 | Cross-check the USB-IF Integrators List registration at usb.org to confirm the module model is listed under the correct USB-IF certification ID. Products sometimes carry a USB-IF logo based on a parent model's certification rather than a product-specific test. | | 3 | Confirm the harmonised standard version cited in the EU Declaration of Conformity. For IEC 62368-1, ensure EN IEC 62368-1:2023 (or the applicable amendment) is cited, not the withdrawn IEC 60950-1. | | 4 | Request the EU-type examination certificate if the module falls within an EU RED Article 3.1(b) or Article 3.2 category requiring mandatory notified body involvement. | | 5 | Verify the E-marker specification for the USB Type-C connector and cable assembly combination, particularly for modules rated above 3A output current. |
When Not to Use This Approach• For modules intended exclusively for markets outside the EU/UK, CE marking is not required and adds cost without benefit. In these cases, UL 62368-1 and USB-IF certification may be more commercially relevant. • For modules with integrated wireless charging operating at frequencies above 9 kHz, EU RED Article 3.2 requirements add significant certification time (typically 8-16 weeks) and cost. If radio functionality is not required in the furniture application, specifying a module without radio transmission eliminates this overhead. • For very low-power dedicated USB-A modules operating at 5V and below 1.5A with no PD negotiation, the scope of applicable standards may be narrower. However, IEC 62368-1 safety evaluation remains mandatory for CE marking regardless of power level in most furniture integration contexts. Supplier Red Flags in USB Charging Module ComplianceClaims of "CE approved" without an accompanying EU Declaration of Conformity or test report from an accredited laboratory. USB-IF logo use on module packaging or datasheets without a corresponding entry in the USB-IF Integrators List. Citations of IEC 60950-1 as the applicable safety standard for new production — this standard was withdrawn in 2020. Test reports older than 3 years without confirmation that the module design and bill of materials have not changed since the test date. Thermal test data based solely on datasheet component specifications rather than actual measurement in the final installation configuration. Resistance to providing test report PDFs or insisting on NDA before sharing compliance documentation.
Ensure Your Procurement ComplianceGLOB-EL provides comprehensive compliance documentation, including EN IEC 62368-1 test reports and EU Declarations of Conformity, for all our embedded USB charging modules. Connect with our Technical Support team to streamline your OEM qualification process. Contact GLOB-EL Technical Support |
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