Tech21 · Waterproof Personal Electronics Cases
Tech21 15W USB-A Car Charger
Low risk. Standard electronics unlikely to contain PFAS.
Tech21 car chargers are standard USB power adapters with no known PFAS-related risks or special coatings.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Plastic housing, copper/metal internal components
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Electrical safety and short-circuit risk
Any USB charger can pose shock or fire risk if the housing is physically damaged or internal components are exposed to moisture. Tech21 chargers are not UL or FCC certified per publicly available information; certification status should be verified on the device or manual if electrical safety is a priority.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Plastic housing degradation from heat exposure
Extended exposure to high ambient temperatures or direct sunlight may cause cosmetic cracking over years, but charger housings are engineered to tolerate typical vehicle conditions (0-60C). No degradation byproducts of concern have been documented for ABS or polycarbonate in this application.
Heavy metals
Standard electronics-grade solder and internal metals in USB chargers are regulated under RoHS directives in most markets, limiting lead and cadmium. Tech21 does not explicitly state RoHS compliance, but no recalls or contamination reports exist for this product line.
Source, FDA ↗Flame retardants
USB chargers are not classified as flammability-critical products in most regulations, so plastic housings typically contain no added flame retardants. Standard ABS or polycarbonate without additives poses no chemical exposure risk during normal use.
Source, EPA ↗Off-gassing or volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Plastic charger housings do not typically off-gas under normal operating temperatures. Any minor VOC release during manufacturing is negligible by the time the product reaches consumer use and stored in open-air environments like vehicles.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Tech21 15W USB-A charger uses plastic housing (likely polycarbonate or ABS) with internal copper wiring and standard electronic components. Plastic housings in chargers are not a primary chemical leaching concern because the device does not contact food, skin for extended periods, or high-temperature environments. Internal metal components are isolated and pose no direct exposure risk under normal charging use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Tech21 is a consumer electronics accessories brand without published safety disclosures or certifications for chemical content. No recalls or established health controversies have been documented for Tech21 chargers in public records. The brand operates without transparent material safety data typical of larger manufacturers, but this reflects industry norms for budget electronics rather than flagged risk.
How it compares in its category
USB chargers are among the lowest-risk consumer electronics because they contain no toxic coatings, flame retardants, or high-temperature polymers that off-gas. The 15W output is standard and does not indicate thermal stress that would degrade plastic housing. This charger is functionally equivalent in safety profile to comparable offerings from Anker, Belkin, or Amazon Basics.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry location; excessive heat (above 50C ambient) can degrade plastic over years but poses no acute hazard. Do not disassemble or expose internal components to moisture. Replace only if the plastic housing cracks, exposes internal wiring, or the charger stops functioning. Standard USB chargers have no moving parts or consumables requiring maintenance.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tech21 has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More waterproof personal electronics cases grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.