About EU Conformity to USB-IF specifications

What is the EU Conformity to USB-IF Specifications Program?

This program supports the specific needs of manufacturers targeting the European market under the amended Radio Equipment Directive (RED). It allows manufacturers to demonstrate that their products comply with the USB Type-C and USB PD specifications as explicitly cited in EU legislation.

Key Features:

• Based on a defined subset of USB-IF specifications relevant to EU regulatory compliance
• Testing conducted by USB-IF-recognized labs highly recommended
• Does not require logo licensing or full USB-IF certification
• Accepts test results and Qualification by Similarity (QbS) for eligible product variants
• Grants access to a formal EU conformity statement upon USB-IF review

Who It’s For: Manufacturers whose goal is EU market access rather than full certification, or those who already hold USB-IF certification and want to extend compliance to meet EU-specific documentation needs.

Visit the official USB-IF EU Conformity Program page

USB-IF certifications vs EU Conformity to USB-IF specifications

Can You Do Both?

Yes. Products already certified by USB-IF can use existing test data to support EU conformity documentation, as long as the data is up to date and relevant to the requirements under the EU program. This dual-path approach allows manufacturers to reduce redundancy and accelerate regulatory submission timelines.

Granite River Labs (GRL) is a USB-IF-recognized Independent Test Lab with deep expertise in both USB-IF certification and EU conformity processes. We provide end-to-end services, including:

• Pre-compliance and formal testing
• Documentation preparation and submission guidance
• Qualification by Similarity assessments
• Technical consultation for maintaining compliance through product changes

Whether your priority is EU market access or full global certification, streamline your path to compliance with GRL.

Contact us to learn more or request service.

EU Conformity to USB-IF FAQs

Q1: Do I need to submit my product to USB-IF for certification in order to participate in the EU Conformity to USB-IF Specifications program?
No. While USB-IF certification is encouraged, it is not mandatory. Products can participate in the EU Conformity program without formal USB-IF certification, provided that all required test documentation is submitted and reviewed.

Q2: Is it acceptable to self-test or must testing be conducted by a USB-IF-recognized independent lab?
According to EU RED compliance, self-testing is possible provided the manufacturer has necessary infrastructure and competence to perform all necessary tests as needed by the standard. Keeping the complexity of requirements in mind, self-testing is usually not encouraged due to the need for validated and standardized test results. Manufacturers will receive far greater assurance of accuracy and support by testing at USB-IF recognized Independent Test Labs (ITLs).

Q3: How does the documentation for EU conformity differ from that of full USB-IF certification?
The EU Conformity program requires a declaration package focused on proving compliance with the USB Type-C® and USB PD specifications cited in EU legislation. Unlike full USB-IF certification, no USB-IF logo usage or product listing is granted unless certification is also pursued.

Q4: If my product already has USB-IF certification, do I need to retest or resubmit anything for the EU Conformity program?
Not necessarily. If your USB-IF certification is current and matches the specifications referenced by the EU, you may reuse the existing certification data as part of the EU conformity documentation.

Q5: Can I use pre-existing test reports to support my EU conformity documentation?
Yes, pre-existing test reports from a USB-IF-recognized lab may be used if they remain valid and are aligned with the relevant USB-IF specifications cited in the EU legislation.

Q6: How recent do my USB-IF test results need to be to be considered valid for EU submission?
Test results must align with the current USB specifications referenced by the EU. Typically, results should be recent enough to reflect compliance with the most up-to-date USB PD and Type-C requirements (e.g., PD 3.1).

Q7: What are the specific technical test cases or subsets required under this program (e.g. PD 3.1, EPR)?
The required test cases depend on the product type and must cover the specifications cited in the EU directive. For power-related devices, this includes PD 3.1 and, if applicable, Extended Power Range (EPR) functionality.

Q8: What qualifies as sufficient evidence of meeting baseline USB Type-C^® and PD interoperability?
Validated test results from a USB-IF-recognized lab that confirm compliance with key USB-IF interoperability test specifications serve as sufficient evidence.

Q9: What are the eligibility criteria for using Qualification by Similarity (QbS) to extend coverage?
QbS may be used when product variants share identical electrical, mechanical, and firmware characteristics. Final eligibility is subject to USB-IF review and approval.

Q10: Can I list multiple product variants under one conformity assessment package?
Yes, if the products share a common platform or design, they may be listed together. However, technical justification or QbS documentation may be required.

Q11: Does USB-IF review each EU conformity submission, or is approval handled differently from certification?
Submissions for EU conformity are reviewed by USB-IF, but the process is less formal than full certification. The review ensures compliance with the specific technical references in EU law.

Q12: What happens if I change a component in my product after submitting EU conformity documentation?
Any hardware or firmware change that could affect USB PD or Type-C compliance may require re-evaluation and potentially updated documentation or testing.

Q13: Can the same conformity documentation be used for both EU and other global regulatory submissions?
Not directly. While the documentation may support other regulatory efforts, each market may have unique conformity formats and procedural requirements.

Q14: Are there any additional documentation or labeling requirements specific to the EU market beyond USB-IF’s?
Yes. EU market access requires a Declaration of Conformity, CE marking, and adherence to other EU-specific regulatory obligations (e.g., RED, Ecodesign).

Q15: What turnaround times should I expect for testing and documentation under this program, assuming no retests are required?
Timelines vary by product type and lab capacity, but manufacturers can generally expect a turnaround of 2–4 weeks when working with an experienced USB-IF-recognized lab.