CE Certification Testing for Chargers: EU Standards, Test Items, and Compliance Procedures

CE certification testing verifies that chargers, including AC adapters, USB wall chargers, car chargers, and wireless chargers, meet the essential requirements of the EU Low Voltage Directive, EMC Directive, RoHS Directive, and, where applicable, the Radio Equipment Directive. Testing to harmonized standards such as EN 62368-1, EN 55032, EN 55035, and EN 61000-3-2 provides the technical basis for affixing the CE marking and legally placing chargers on the European Economic Area market. This article explains the applicable directives, sample requirements, test items, testing methods, and frequently asked questions related to charger CE certification.

Technical Overview

The CE marking indicates that a product complies with all applicable EU directives and regulations before it is placed on the market in the European Economic Area. For chargers, the conformity assessment process combines safety testing, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, environmental compliance verification, and, for radio-enabled products, radio spectrum testing. The manufacturer remains legally responsible for conformity, issues the EU Declaration of Conformity, and affixes the CE marking, while testing is typically performed by accredited third-party laboratories to generate objective evidence for the technical file.

Chargers are categorized according to their input and output characteristics, integrated functions, and intended use. The applicable legislation and harmonized standards differ accordingly, so the first step of any CE project is a correct regulatory classification of the product.

Applicable EU Directives and Regulations

• Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU: applies to electrical equipment with an input or output within 50–1000 V AC or 75–1500 V DC, covering mains-powered chargers and power adapters.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU: applies to virtually all electronic chargers, including low-voltage DC-input devices such as USB-powered wireless charging pads.
• Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU: applies to wireless chargers and chargers with integrated Bluetooth or Wi-Fi functions, covering safety (Article 3.1(a)), EMC (Article 3.1(b)), and efficient spectrum use (Article 3.2).
• RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU: restricts ten hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
• Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2019/1782: sets energy-efficiency and no-load power limits for external power supplies.
• WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU: requires the crossed-out wheeled bin marking and related obligations.

Harmonized Standards Commonly Applied

• EN IEC 62368-1: safety requirements for audio/video, information, and communication technology equipment; the successor to EN 60950-1 and EN 60065 and the primary safety standard for chargers.
• EN 55032: limits and methods of measurement of electromagnetic disturbances (conducted and radiated emissions).
• EN 55035: electromagnetic immunity requirements for multimedia equipment.
• EN 61000-3-2 and EN 61000-3-3: harmonic current emissions and voltage fluctuations and flicker in the public low-voltage supply system.
• EN 300 330 and EN 300 328: spectrum access requirements for inductive loop devices and 2.4 GHz radio equipment.
• EN 301 489 series: EMC standards for radio equipment, applied together with EN 55032/EN 55035.
• EN 62479 and EN 50663: assessment of human exposure to electromagnetic fields for low-power transmitters.
• EN IEC 63000: technical documentation requirements supporting RoHS conformity assessment.
• EN 60335-2-29: safety requirements for household and similar battery chargers, applied to certain dedicated battery chargers.

Applying harmonized standards that are listed in the Official Journal of the EU gives a presumption of conformity with the corresponding directive requirements. Where a product falls outside the scope of a harmonized standard, a risk-based engineering assessment against the essential requirements must be documented instead.

Testing Samples

AC/DC Power Adapters and USB Wall Chargers

These are mains-input devices, typically rated 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, with outputs of 5 V to 48 V DC. They are assessed under the LVD, EMC Directive, RoHS Directive, and, when classified as external power supplies, the Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2019/1782. Single-port and multi-port versions are tested with all output ports loaded simultaneously to establish worst-case conditions.

Car Chargers

Vehicular chargers with 12 V or 24 V DC inputs fall outside the voltage scope of the LVD. EMC and RoHS compliance remain mandatory, and safety evaluation to EN IEC 62368-1 is strongly recommended to demonstrate an acceptable level of protection, especially for products with metal accessible parts or high-power outputs.

Wireless Chargers

Inductive charging pads and stands that operate in the 9 kHz–25 MHz range are radio equipment under the RED and require spectrum testing to EN 300 330, EMC testing to the EN 301 489 series, and RF exposure assessment. Safety is evaluated using EN IEC 62368-1, including thermal behavior of the charging surface.

Fast Chargers with USB PD or Proprietary Protocols

Chargers supporting USB Power Delivery, Quick Charge, or manufacturer-proprietary protocols must be tested across all programmable voltage and current states. Each output profile represents a distinct operating condition for thermal, electric strength, and EMC evaluation.

Dedicated Battery Chargers

Chargers intended for consumer batteries, power tool packs, or e-bike batteries may fall under EN 60335-2-29, which adds requirements for output circuit characteristics, abnormal battery conditions, and protection against reverse energy flow.

Sample Quantity and Preparation

A typical program requires four to eight production-intent units: two to four for destructive safety testing, one to two for EMC, and the remainder for RoHS analysis or backup. The laboratory also requires rating labels, user instructions, circuit schematics, bill of materials, PCB layouts, and certificates for critical safety components such as transformers, X and Y capacitors, optocouplers, fuses, and flammable enclosure materials.

Testing Items

Safety Test Items (EN IEC 62368-1)

• Verification of markings, rating labels, and instructions for durability and completeness.
• Measurement of input power and current at rated voltage and frequency.
• Capacitance discharge test on mains plug pins after disconnection.
• Touch current and protective conductor current measurement.
• Dielectric strength testing, typically 1.5 kV for basic or supplementary insulation and 3 kV for reinforced insulation on 230 V mains circuits.
• Humidity conditioning followed by repeat electric strength and leakage measurements.
• Temperature rise testing under normal operating, abnormal operating, and single-fault conditions.
• Fault condition testing, including output short circuit, overload, blocked ventilation, and simulated component failures.
• Mechanical strength testing: impact, drop, stress relief, steady force, and torque tests.
• Stability and mechanical hazard evaluation of the enclosure and moving parts.
• Construction review: creepage and clearance distances, solid insulation thickness, protective earthing continuity, and circuit separation.
• Flammability assessment of materials using glow-wire testing to IEC 60695-2-11, typically 550 °C to 750 °C depending on part location, and needle-flame testing where required.

EMC Emission Test Items

• Conducted disturbances at the AC mains port from 150 kHz to 30 MHz per EN 55032.
• Radiated emissions from 30 MHz to 1 GHz, extended above 1 GHz for products with internal frequencies above 108 MHz.
• Conducted disturbances at wired network or telecommunication ports.
• Harmonic current emissions per EN 61000-3-2, Class A or Class B as applicable.
• Voltage fluctuations and flicker per EN 61000-3-3.

EMC Immunity Test Items

• Electrostatic discharge per EN 61000-4-2: contact discharge at ±4 kV and air discharge at ±8 kV.
• Radiated RF electromagnetic field immunity per EN 61000-4-3, typically 3 V/m from 80 MHz to 1 GHz with 80% amplitude modulation.
• Electrical fast transient/burst immunity on power ports per EN 61000-4-4.
• Surge immunity per EN 61000-4-5: 1 kV line-to-line and 2 kV line-to-earth.
• Conducted RF disturbance immunity per EN 61000-4-6, 3 V from 150 kHz to 80 MHz.
• Power-frequency magnetic field immunity per EN 61000-4-8 where applicable.
• Voltage dips and short interruptions per EN 61000-4-11.

Immunity results are judged against performance criteria defined in EN 55035, which describe the permitted degradation of the equipment during and after each disturbance.

Radio and RF Exposure Test Items (Wireless Chargers)

• Frequency, occupied bandwidth, transmitter power, and spurious domain emissions per EN 300 330 or EN 300 328.
• Radio EMC performance per EN 301 489-1 combined with the relevant part of the series.
• Human exposure to electromagnetic fields assessed per EN 62479 or the low-power exclusion approach of EN 50663.

RoHS Substance Testing

• Determination of the ten restricted substances: lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and the four phthalates DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP, with limits of 0.1% by weight in homogeneous materials, except cadmium at 0.01%.
• Analytical methods from the IEC 62321 series, including ICP-OES or AAS for metals, colorimetric UV-Vis for hexavalent chromium, and GC-MS for phthalates and flame retardants.

Energy Efficiency and No-Load Power

• No-load power consumption, with a general limit of 0.10 W for most external power supplies under Regulation (EU) 2019/1782.
• Average active efficiency calculated from measurements at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of rated output power.
• Measurement performed using the methods referenced in the regulation, aligned with IEC 63002.

Testing Methods

Safety Test Methods

Temperature rise testing is performed at the maximum rated ambient temperature with thermocouples attached to transformers, windings, power semiconductors, capacitors, and accessible surfaces, comparing results against material class limits and touch temperature limits for accessible parts. Abnormal and single-fault testing simulates credible failure modes such as stalled or blocked cooling, overloaded outputs, short-circuited components, and open protective devices. Electric strength tests apply the specified AC or DC test voltage between mains circuits and accessible parts or between separate circuits for 60 seconds at the type-test level.

EMC Test Methods

Emission measurements are conducted in a shielded semi-anechoic chamber using calibrated receivers and antennas per CISPR 16-1-1, with the sample powered through line impedance stabilization networks (LISN) and detected in both quasi-peak and average modes at a 3 m or 10 m measurement distance. Immunity testing uses calibrated amplifiers, antennas, and coupling devices to apply each disturbance phenomenon at the standardized severity levels, with the charger loaded to representative operating conditions.

Environmental Conditioning

Before electric strength and leakage current testing, samples intended for indoor use undergo humidity conditioning of typically 48 hours at 91–95% relative humidity and 40 °C, followed by testing within a defined time window to ensure insulation performance in humid environments.

Load Configuration and Worst-Case Operation

Programmable electronic loads are used to hold each output at its rated current and at defined overload points. For multi-port and fast chargers, tests are repeated across the full range of voltage and current profiles, and output cables of specified length and cross-section are used to reproduce realistic installation conditions.

Reporting and Declaration

Test reports issued by accredited third-party laboratories operating under an ISO/IEC 17025 quality framework form the core of the technical file. Based on the results, the manufacturer prepares the EU Declaration of Conformity, affixes the CE marking, and retains the technical documentation for ten years after the last unit is placed on the market.

Applications

CE-certified chargers serve a wide range of product categories in which compliance is a condition of market access:

• Consumer electronics: chargers and adapters for smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, and wearables.
• IT and communication equipment: external power supplies for routers, switches, set-top boxes, and office equipment.
• Smart home and IoT devices: chargers for smart speakers, sensors, security cameras, and connected appliances.
• Power tools and light electric mobility: battery chargers for cordless tools and e-bike packs, frequently evaluated under EN 60335-2-29.
• Medical accessories: power supplies used with medical electrical equipment, which additionally involve the safety concepts of EN 60601-1.
• Industrial equipment: chargers and DIN-rail power supplies integrated into machinery and control installations.

Electric vehicle charging equipment follows a separate regulatory route based on EN 61851-1 and related standards, and should not be assumed to be covered by the same certification scope as consumer chargers.

FAQ

Is CE certification legally mandatory for chargers?

Yes. A charger may only be placed on the EU and EEA markets after it complies with all applicable directives, carries the CE marking, and is covered by a signed EU Declaration of Conformity. The CE marking itself is a manufacturer declaration, not a license, and third-party test reports provide the supporting technical evidence.

Which directives apply to a typical USB wall charger?

A mains-powered USB charger is subject to the Low Voltage Directive, the EMC Directive, the RoHS Directive, and, as an external power supply, the energy-efficiency requirements of Regulation (EU) 2019/1782, together with WEEE marking obligations.

Do wireless chargers require radio testing?

Yes. Inductive wireless chargers are radio equipment under the Radio Equipment Directive and must demonstrate compliance with safety, EMC, and efficient spectrum use requirements, including RF exposure assessment.

Do car chargers fall under the Low Voltage Directive?

No. A 12 V or 24 V DC input places them outside the LVD voltage range. EMC and RoHS requirements still apply, and safety testing to EN IEC 62368-1 is recommended as evidence of an equivalent protection level.

How many samples are needed and how long does testing take?

Most programs require four to eight production-intent units. A combined safety, EMC, and RoHS evaluation typically takes three to five weeks; wireless chargers with radio testing generally require additional time for spectrum and exposure assessment.

Is EN 62368-1 the only safety standard for chargers now?

For most chargers, yes. EN IEC 62368-1 replaced EN 60950-1 and EN 60065 and is the current harmonized safety standard. Dedicated household battery chargers continue to be evaluated under EN 60335-2-29.

What documents must be kept in the technical file?

The file should include the product description, risk assessment, circuit diagrams, bill of materials, critical component certificates, rating label artwork, user instructions, test reports from accredited third-party laboratories, and the signed Declaration of Conformity.

Does the CE marking expire?

There is no fixed validity period. Recertification or re-evaluation is required when the product design changes, when applicable directives or harmonized standards are updated, or when the EU publishes new requirements affecting the product.