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Safe non-food consumer Products in the EU and China
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Safe non-food consumer Products in the EU and China
This factsheet applies to power supplies, chargers and adaptors designed to convert AC power input from the AC mains into one or more lower voltage DC or AC outputs. It is used to supply one or more separate devices that constitute the primary load and it is connected to these with cables, cords or other wirings. It is contained in a separate enclosure.
A battery charger is a device that is intended for charging rechargeable batteries. These are removed from the charger and connected to the device they supply when it is used.
This factsheet applies to products that are supplied from AC mains. It also includes chargers sold with batteries.
The most common risks identified in this product sector are set out below.
1. Electrical risks
2. Thermal risks:
3. Mechanical risks:
4. Optical risks
This is a list of examples of common risks. However, the manufacturer has to carry out an assessment of the power supplier, charger or adaptor that covers all relevant risks that may be associated with the product and actions taken to mitigate these risks where possible. A general definition of risk and its relationship to hazards can be found in the factsheet on Risk management.
Specific examples of measures taken against dangerous power supplier, charger or adaptor offered for sale in the European Union are available on the Safety Gate website. Type ‘power supplier’, ‘charger’ or ‘adaptor’ into the free text search box (but without the quotation marks) and select the ‘electrical appliances and equipment’ Product Category to view notified examples. A better understanding of mistakes made in the safety assessment on the power supplier, charger or adaptor or its manufacture can help avoid their repetition.
These products are governed mainly by the Low Voltage Directive (LVD). The Directive lays down the safety criteria that all power suppliers, chargers or adaptors must meet before they can be marketed in the EU. Power suppliers, chargers and adaptors must comply with the essential safety requirements set out in this Directive. More specific details can be found here.
In addition, if the electrical appliance and equipment is capable to communicate wirelessly (e.g. incorporates Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), it should meet the requirements of the Radio Equipment Directive.
All other products (with a voltage rating below 50 V AC or 75 V DC) and risks not covered by the LVD, are governed by the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD). The Directive lays down that only safe consumer products can be marketed in the EU. Power suppliers, chargers and adaptors must comply with the general safety requirement set out in this Directive. More specific details can be found here.
“European standards” exist in the EU for power suppliers, chargers and adaptors. Power suppliers, chargers and adaptors complying with these standards are presumed to be in conformity with the essential safety requirements set out in the Low Voltage Directive if the standards are referenced in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
It is important to note that the latest edition of the standard referenced in the OJEU (including any amendments) applies.
Note: The full text of European standards can only be purchased from a national standardisation body. The following site of CEN CENELEC (the European standardisation organisation) provides links to the national standardisation bodies’ websites. In addition, the China Standards Information Services Network can be used to access European standards.
The following standards apply to power suppliers, chargers and adaptors (and others may apply in specific circumstances):
EN 62368-1:2014
The standard describes safety requirements for audio/video, information and communication technology equipment including power supplies, chargers and adaptors.
EN 60335-2-29:2004
The standard describes safety requirements for battery chargers. It must be read in conjunction with EN 60335-1 that describes general safety requirements for household and similar electrical appliances.
EN 62311:2008
The standard describes measurement methods and safety requirements related to human exposure restrictions for electromagnetic fields (0 Hz – 300 GHz).
Batteries supplied with the charger must also be safe. Standards for batteries are not harmonised. Two standards that cover the most common types of batteries are:
EN 62133-1:2017
This standard describes safety requirements for cells and batteries based on nickel systems, e.g. NiMH batteries.
EN 62133-2:2017
This standard describes safety requirements for cells and batteries based on lithium systems, e.g. Lithium Ion batteries.
However, the standard series covers other safety issues and manufacturers are strongly advised to consult the whole standard.
The following summarises some further key applicable laws:
The following are obligatory:
Safety warnings and instructions are obligatory for many types of power suppliers, chargers and adaptors to draw attention of users to risks and how to avoid injury.
To ensure that manufacturers produce only safe power suppliers, chargers or adaptors there are also a range of general requirements to be fulfilled. These are explained in the following factsheets and need to be read in conjunction with this factsheet:
You may also visit the SPEAC ACADEMY to learn more about the EU Safety requirements.
The provided information was updated in 2022. Please note that some of the provided information could change during possible subsequent revisions of legislation, standards, and guidance documents. For any updates of official information on the EU product safety rules, please follow the Link to the webpage of the European Commission.
This document was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of SPEAC project and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
It is essential for manufacturers to consider whether their products might also have a ‘play value’ to a child, e.g. because it has a rattle effect or some other toy or play item attached to it (i.e. a plush toys attached to the strap). This is because products which have play value are considered as toys and must comply with all the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. To be considered as a toy for the purpose of the Directive, the play value has to be introduced in an intended way by the manufacturer. The EU has issued a good deal of guidance on toy safety to help manufacturers, and this includes guidance document no. 4 which can be found here will specifically help manufacturers consider the issue of childcare articles which may also fall within the definition of being a toy.
Comprehensive factsheets on the requirements concerning toys can be found (here)
This website was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of SPEAC project and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.