What do Canada’s energy efficiency regulations require for chargers and power supplies?

Main answer · Wecent Editorial Team

Short answer: Natural Resources Canada regulates the energy efficiency of external power supplies and battery chargers. Before import or interprovincial trade, products must meet the performance standard, be tested by a recognised method, carry the required verification mark from a body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada and have an energy efficiency report submitted. Check the current regulations for your product type.

Who regulates

Natural Resources Canada administers the Energy Efficiency Regulations. They apply to products imported into Canada or shipped across provincial borders for sale or lease, including covered external power supplies and battery chargers.

What the rules cover

• Performance. Products must meet the minimum energy performance standard for their type.
• Testing. Tests follow the referenced test procedures.
• Verification mark. A verification mark from a certification body accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, showing the product has been checked.
• Reporting. An energy efficiency report is submitted to Natural Resources Canada through its online reporting system.

External power supplies

Natural Resources Canada’s guidance states that external power supplies may use the Roman numeral efficiency marking from the US Department of Energy as an alternative marking. Check the page for the exact conditions and for the standard that applies to your product.

Battery chargers

Battery chargers have their own requirements and test procedure. Whether your charger is a battery charger or an external power supply depends on its design, so ask a specialist to classify it.

Practical steps

1. Identify which product category applies.
2. Obtain test data from a suitable laboratory.
3. Ask a recognised certification body about the verification mark.
4. Submit the report through the official channel.
5. Keep test data and certificates in your file.

Provincial rules

Some provinces have their own requirements, so check them for your target provinces.

Keep it current

Regulations change. Check the official pages before each new product and at least yearly for existing ones.

Quick summary

Identify the product category, test to the right procedure, get the verification mark from an accredited body and file the report with Natural Resources Canada. Confirm details on the official page before each launch.

Who to ask

Your certification body, your test laboratory and a Canadian compliance adviser can each tell you what is needed for a specific model. Ask them to put the answer in writing, with the reference to the regulation, so that your records show how you decided.

Sources checked on 24 Oct 2026: Natural Resources Canada: External power supplies; Natural Resources Canada: Energy efficiency regulations.

Where this answer says to confirm with Wecent, the detail is not published on the product page and has to come from the datasheet or the factory. General facts come from the regulators, standards bodies or device makers named in the text.