electric vehicle
EV charger testing and certification
An electric vehicle charging station (AC or DC).
EV charger — conformity scope
For an EV charger, charging-protocol and communication compatibility, residual-current protection and installation requirements are part of the file alongside electrical safety and EMC. If the device has wireless communication or remote management, radio and cybersecurity headings are added.
The list below is the European Union framework. The same product falls under a different mark and approval regime in another market; Smart Service Finder shows that market's requirements when you select it.
Regulation
EV charger legislation that typically comes into play for
The following is the European Union framework and shows typical application. Which title actually applies depends on the class, intended use and components of the product; The scope is determined by examining the product.
The Low Voltage Directive. Governs the electrical safety of equipment operating in the 50–1000 V AC range.
The Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive. Emission and immunity are covered together.
The Radio Equipment Directive. Spectrum, EMC and electrical safety are assessed together on the radio interface; the 3.3(d)(e)(f) cybersecurity articles apply from 1 August 2025.
The Cyber Resilience Act. Cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements; reporting from 11 September 2026, full application from 11 December 2027.
Restriction of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment; an integral part of the CE declaration.
The Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure. Governs connector type, payment and data-sharing requirements at public charging points.
Standards
Standards typically referenced in the dossier
- IEC 61851-1
- IEC 61851-21-2
- IEC 62196-2
- IEC 60364-7-722
- EN 55011
- IEC 61000-6-1
- IEC 61000-6-3
- SAE J1772
What is required?
Each item links to the relevant service page: the legislation entry to the certification scheme, the test family to the laboratory page, and the mark to the market page.
European Union — required mark
5- CE — European UnionThe umbrella for entering the EU market; all regulations applicable to the product are met.
- EMC — European UnionElectromagnetic Compatibility Directive — emission and immunity requirements.
- RoHS — European UnionRestriction of hazardous substances in electrical equipment; part of the CE declaration.
- REACH — European UnionChemical legislation — not covered by CE, but affects almost all products.
- E-Mark — European UnionVehicle and component type approval; mandatory for road registration.
Required legislation
4- UNECE R10 — vehicle EMCUnder type approval
- UNECE R100 — electric powertrain safety
- Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542
- RoHS
Required tests
5- Automotive TestingOEM specifications and ISO 16750
- Battery TestingUN 38.3 and IEC 62660
- EMC / EMI TestingCISPR 25 and ISO 11452
- Vibration & Shock
- Environmental & Climatic Testing
Required certificates
3- E-Mark type approvalFor the vehicle and components
- Automotive Quality Management (IATF 16949) CertificationRequired across the supply chain
- CoP — conformity of productionMaintaining the type approval
What must be in the technical file
6- Type approval application file
- UN 38.3 transport test summary
- Battery passport data (once in scope)
- Conformity of production (CoP) plan
- Material and component traceability records
- Details of the authorised representative or importer established in the EU
How does the process work?
The flow below is a general order independent of product type; timing and acceptance criteria are determined by the standard the product falls under.
1Defining the scope
It is determined which legislation the product falls under based on its technical characteristics and intended use.
2Testing and evaluation
Tests are planned for the applicable headings; results are evaluated according to the relevant standards.
3Technical file
Design, production and test records are compiled in the technical file, accompanied by a risk assessment.
4Declaration or certificate
Depending on the product group, the manufacturer's declaration is prepared or third-party certification is carried out.
EV charger which market is it going to?
Who bears the obligation, where the test will be performed, and what customs will require all vary by market.
What changes depending on the market?
Same product, different regimen
- European UnionUnder the CE mark: LVD, EMC and RoHS; RED and CRA obligations are added for models with a smart-charging function. AFIR requirements also apply at public points.
- United KingdomThe UKCA regime carries the same technical requirements into its own legislation; CE marking is recognised indefinitely for many product groups, and the declaration runs through a UK-based responsible person.
- United StatesSafety under UL 2594 and UL 2231, EMC under FCC Part 15; the connector interface is defined by SAE J1772.
- ChinaThe GB/T 20234 series of connector standards and CCC certification apply.
Products in the same group
EV charger — let's work out the scope together
Share the product's technical characteristics; let us tell you in writing which headings apply to your scope and which tests are required.
This result is a starting roadmap, not a conformity assessment. Which legislation a product falls under depends on its technical characteristics, intended use and user group; it is only finalised by examining the product. You may have an obligation not shown in the list, and an item shown here may not apply to your product.