[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/CE marking for wireless charging EUProduct guide # CE Marking for Wireless Charging Pads and Qi Transmitters Wireless charging pads operate in a regulatory grey area that confuses many hardware teams. EMC and LVD clearly apply; RED scope depends on whether the specific design constitutes intentional radio transmission. Qi certification from WPC is a separate voluntary scheme — it does not replace EU CE compliance, and CE marking still requires testing by an EU-accredited laboratory. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fce-marking-for-wireless-charging) At a glance Applicable directives 4 Key standards 5 Qi vs CE differences 5 ## Applicable legislation EMC ### EMC Directive 2014/30/EU All wireless charging pads generate conducted and radiated electromagnetic emissions from the switching inductive circuit. EMC testing is required for all wireless charger designs regardless of power level. LVD ### Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU Mains-connected wireless charging pads operating above 50V AC or 75V DC. This covers most wired-input wireless charging products. Key standards: IEC 62368-1 (A/V and IT safety) for the mains-connected input stage. RED ### Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU Wireless chargers that include intentional radio communication for power negotiation (as in advanced Qi variants) or integrated Bluetooth/NFC may be within RED scope. Consult your accredited lab to determine if your specific implementation constitutes intentional radio transmission under RED. RoHS ### RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU All electronic components in the charger — coil windings, power electronics, control circuit. Standard RoHS compliance for restricted substances. ## Key harmonised standards ETSI EN 300 330 Short range devices — radio equipment operating in frequency range 9 kHz to 25 MHz — inductive loop systems used at 87–205 kHz (Qi charging) EN IEC 63044-3 Home and building electronic systems — general and safety requirements for Qi-compatible wireless charging ETSI EN 301 489-1 EMC for radio equipment — common technical requirements (if RED applies) EN IEC 62368-1 Audio/video, IT, and communications equipment — safety (covers mains input stage of wired-input chargers) EN IEC 61000-3-2 Harmonic current emissions limits — relevant for mains-connected charger power supply stages ## WPC Qi certification vs EU CE marking WPC Qi certification is a voluntary industry interoperability certification confirming the charger meets the Wireless Power Consortium's technical specification. CE marking is a mandatory EU legal requirement confirming conformity with applicable EU directives. Qi certification does not automatically satisfy CE marking requirements — CE marking requires testing against EU directives and harmonised standards specifically. A Qi-certified charger still needs EMC, LVD, and potentially RED testing to a European accredited laboratory for CE marking. Some Qi test data may be usable to support CE compliance, but this must be verified on a case-by-case basis with your accredited EU lab. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does a wireless charging pad always need RED testing? Not always. Inductive wireless charging that only transfers power (no radio communication data link) may fall outside RED scope and be covered by EMC and LVD instead. However, some Qi implementations include a communication channel over the inductive link for power negotiation, authentication, and foreign object detection. Whether this constitutes intentional radio transmission under RED 2014/53/EU scope is a determination that should be made with your accredited test laboratory based on the specific design. ### What EMC issues are common with wireless charging pads? Wireless charging pads operating at 87–205 kHz generate significant conducted and radiated emissions from the high-current inductive circuit. Common EMC failure modes include: conducted emissions on the mains power line exceeding EN 55032 limits, radiated emissions from the coil assembly and power electronics, and susceptibility issues where incoming interference disrupts foreign object detection circuitry. Pre-compliance EMC testing is strongly recommended before formal testing. ### Does a wireless charger need SAR assessment? SAR assessment is typically not required for charging pads — SAR applies to intentional radio transmitters operating at frequencies where RF energy can be absorbed by human tissue. Wireless charging operates in the near-field inductive regime at 87–205 kHz, where the relevant human exposure limit is the ICNIRP low-frequency magnetic field limit (not SAR). However, if the charger is specifically designed for close body contact (e.g., a wearable integrated charger), an RF exposure evaluation may be appropriate. ### Does CRA apply to a smart wireless charging pad? A wireless charging pad with network connectivity — for example, one that connects to a smart home hub, reports charging data to a cloud service, or has a Bluetooth configuration interface — is a 'product with digital elements' under CRA scope. The product would need to meet CRA cybersecurity requirements from December 2027. A purely passive wireless charging pad with no digital connectivity would be outside CRA scope. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. RED scope determination for inductive wireless charging should be confirmed with your accredited test laboratory based on the specific design implementation. 🇪🇺 CE Marking roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇪🇺 CE Marking compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/01-ce-marking-for-electronics-engineers)[Prefer to read? 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