The EU Common Charger Law: why your new laptop arrives without a charger
If your business has ordered a new laptop recently, you may have opened the box and found something missing. There is no power adapter inside. This is not a mistake, and it is not a supplier cutting corners. It is the result of the EU Common Charger Law, which extended to laptops on 28 April 2026.
Here is a plain English guide for UK businesses: what has changed, whether it applies here in Scotland and the rest of Great Britain, and how to make sure your team is never left with a flat battery and the wrong cable.
What is the EU Common Charger Law?
The EU Common Charger Directive was adopted in 2022. Its aim is to cut electronic waste and simplify life for buyers by making USB-C the single standard charging port across a wide range of devices.
It arrived in two waves:
December 2024. Phones, tablets, headphones, earbuds, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable speakers, digital cameras, handheld consoles and portable navigation devices all had to move to USB-C charging.
April 2026. Laptops joined the list. Laptop makers were given the extra time to redesign their hardware.
For laptops placed on the market from 28 April 2026, manufacturers must meet three requirements. The device needs a working USB-C charging port. If it charges at more than 15W, it must use the standard USB Power Delivery (USB PD) protocol, so any compliant charger works properly. And the packaging and online listings must clearly show the charging wattage, whether the device supports fast charging, and whether a power adapter is included.
That last point is the one most people notice first. Manufacturers now have to offer devices without a charger in the box, and most have taken the opportunity to make that the default option.
You can read the full detail on the European Commission common charger page.
Does the EU Common Charger Law apply in the UK?
This is where it gets slightly muddy, and it is worth understanding.
Legally, the directive applies across the EU member states and, through the Windsor Framework, in Northern Ireland, where it is enforced by the Radio Equipment (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2024. It does not directly apply in Great Britain. The UK Government ran a call for evidence on adopting equivalent rules but has not introduced its own version.
In practice, this makes very little difference to a business in Edinburgh or anywhere else in Great Britain. As the UK's own Office for Product Safety and Standards acknowledged, manufacturers are likely to apply the same approach across the whole UK voluntarily, simply to avoid running two separate supply chains. USB-C is becoming the industry default whether or not it is legally required here.
So, the short version is this. Whatever the legal position, expect your new laptops to arrive with a USB-C port and no charger.
Does the law ban other charging ports?
No. The rules require USB-C charging to be present and working. They do not require it to be the only way to charge a laptop.
That matters for high powered machines. Mobile workstations and gaming laptops that draw well over 200W under load can still ship with a proprietary barrel connector, as long as there is also a functioning USB-C charging port alongside it. If your team uses CAD, video editing or other heavy workloads, check the specification carefully. USB-C may charge the machine, but not fast enough to keep up while it is working hard.
How to choose the right USB-C laptop charger
The connector is now standard. The power output is not. This is the single biggest source of confusion, so it is worth getting right.
Chargers are generally sold at four power levels: 45W, 65W, 100W and 140W. The large majority of business laptops are happy with a 65W charger. Lighter ultraportables can often manage with 45W, while larger screens, discrete graphics and workstation class machines usually want 100W or more.
The rule of thumb is simple. Check the wattage listed in your laptop's specification or manual, then choose a USB-C charger that matches or exceeds it. A charger with a higher rating will not damage your laptop. The laptop only draws what it needs.
An underpowered charger is the more common problem. Plugging a 20W phone charger into a laptop may charge it very slowly, may only charge it while it is switched off, or may not charge it at all.
Two other things worth knowing:
Cables matter as much as the plug. Not every USB-C cable can carry high power. For anything above 60W you need a cable rated for 5A, and for the full 240W you need a cable that supports the latest Power Delivery standard. A thin cable that came with a pair of earbuds will not do the job.
Look at GaN chargers. Gallium nitride chargers are smaller, lighter and run cooler than traditional models at the same wattage. For anyone who travels or hot desks, they are a noticeable improvement.
Warranty and safety risks to watch
Warranties. Some manufacturers, HP and Lenovo among them, have indicated that using certain third-party chargers could affect warranty cover. If your fleet is under warranty or a support contract, it is worth checking the terms before buying generic replacements in bulk.
Cheap, uncertified chargers. A laptop charger delivering 100W is a serious piece of electrical equipment. Very cheap unbranded units bought from online marketplaces are a genuine fire and equipment safety risk, and they are one of the most common causes of damaged charging ports. Buy from reputable suppliers and look for proper safety marking.
What UK businesses should do now
The change is small in isolation, but it adds up across a fleet. A few practical steps:
1. Adjust your procurement expectations. If you are quoting or budgeting for new hardware, a charger is now a separate line item rather than an assumed inclusion. Factor it in.
2. Standardise on one or two wattages. If most of your fleet runs happily on 65W, buying a single standard charger for the majority of staff makes support far simpler. One spare in a drawer then works for almost everyone.
3. Do not bin the chargers you already have. This is the whole point of the legislation. If your existing USB-C chargers deliver the right wattage, they will work with new machines regardless of brand. A Dell charger will charge a Lenovo laptop.
4. Think about docking stations. Many USB-C docks deliver power over the same cable that carries display and network connections. For desk-based staff, a dock can replace the desk charger entirely.
5. Consider a spare for home and travel. With hybrid working, a lot of the demand for another charger comes from staff carrying one between home and office. A cheap second charger is usually less expensive than the lost time when one gets left behind.
6. Dispose of old chargers properly. Redundant barrel connector chargers should go through WEEE recycling rather than general waste.
EU Common Charger Law: Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my new laptop not come with a charger?
Under the EU Common Charger Law, manufacturers must offer laptops without a power adapter in the box, and most now do so by default. The aim is to cut electronic waste, on the basis that many buyers already own a suitable USB-C charger.
Can I use my phone charger for my laptop?
Only if it delivers enough power. Most phone chargers do not. Check that the wattage matches or exceeds what your laptop requires.
Does the brand of charger need to match the laptop?
No. As long as the wattage and the standard are right, mixing brands is fine. Check your warranty terms if the device is still covered.
My old charger has a round pin. Will it work with a new laptop?
No. Round barrel connectors are not compatible with a USB-C port. You will need a USB-C charger that meets your laptop wattage.
Will my existing laptops stop working?
Not at all. Nothing changes for hardware you already own. This only affects new devices coming onto the market.
Is a more powerful charger dangerous for a smaller laptop?
No. The laptop and charger negotiate the correct power level between them, and the laptop draws only what it needs.
What wattage USB-C charger do I need?
Most business laptops need 65W. Ultraportables often manage on 45W, and workstation or gaming machines usually need 100W or more. The required figure is listed in your laptop specification.
Talk to our team about your hardware refresh
If you are refreshing hardware this year, or you are not sure what your team actually needs, we are happy to help you work it out. Getting the standard right once is a lot easier than sorting out a drawer of mismatched cables later.
Get in touch and we will talk it through.
