Due to their complex product architecture, EV chargers must comply with a range of compliance requirements before entering the European market. Missing any applicable requirement may delay a project or result in penalties. Understanding EV charger compliance is essential for buyers and operators.
Disclaimer: This article is based on official information available as of August 14, 2026. Always confirm the latest applicable regulations, standards, and local authority requirements before implementing a project.
Although many buyers and manufacturers refer to CE as a certification, it is not simply a product certificate. CE marking is a conformity assessment process supported by multiple test reports and compliance documents.
Based on the final product configuration and the applicable legislation, the EV charger manufacturer should prepare the relevant test evidence, Technical Documentation, and an EU Declaration of Conformity (EU DoC) before affixing the CE mark to the product.
| Key EU Legislation for EV Charger CE Compliance | Pourquoi c'est important | When it generally applies | Relevant standards / requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| LVD | Sécurité électrique | Typically applies to EV chargers without wireless communication functions such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G/5G, or wireless RFID/NFC. | EN IEC 61851-1; EN 61851-23 may apply to DC chargers; connectors may involve the EN/IEC 62196 series |
| EMC | Electromagnetic compatibility | Typically applies directly to EV chargers without wireless communication functions. | EN IEC 61851-21-2; the EN IEC 61000 series may also apply depending on power rating and operating environment |
| RED | Radio, EMC and safety requirements | Applies to chargers equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G/5G, wireless RFID/NFC, or other radio transmitting or receiving functions | Safety and EMC assessments may use the EN IEC 61851 series; radio testing may involve the ETSI EN 300/301 series; cybersecurity may involve the EN 18031 series |
| RoHS | Hazardous substance restrictions | Generally needs to be considered for both AC and DC chargers | EN IEC 63000; material testing may use the IEC 62321 series |
| midi | Legal metrology | Applies to charging equipment used in legally regulated metering scenarios, such as billing based on electricity consumption | EN 50470, EN IEC 62052 and EN IEC 62053 may apply to electricity meters; MID MI-011 introduces requirements for EVSE measuring systems, with national implementation following the applicable transition timeline. |
Radio transmitting or receiving functions include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G/5G, wireless RFID/NFC, and similar functions.
Important points to note:
AFIR primarily regulates the deployment and operation of public charging infrastructure in the EU. It does not provide a single unified certification certificate. AFIR Article 5
When purchasing public charging equipment, buyers should confirm:
The charging point operator is normally the party directly responsible for AFIR compliance. However, if the purchased hardware, display, payment terminal, or backend interface does not support these functions, the operator will still be unable to meet the regulatory requirements.
The EU has incorporated ISO 15118 into the technical requirements under AFIR according to the type of charging point and its deployment date.
OCPP Certification or platform integration testing may be required for procurement or tenders, but it is not a unified EU product certification.
Germany applies additional legal metrology requirements for EV charging under its national Eichrecht framework. When EV charging fees are calculated from metering results, buyers and operators should confirm compliance with applicable Eichrecht requirements covering measurement accuracy, transaction data, tamper protection, and user verification.
France applies additional national requirements for EV charging infrastructure under its IRVE framework (Infrastructure de Recharge de Véhicules Électriques). IRVE mainly covers the installation and qualification requirements for EV charging infrastructure rather than product certification. Charging facilities generally need to be installed by professionals holding an appropriate IRVE qualification, although certain low-power private residential installations may be exempt. New grid connections or specific building projects may also involve CONSUEL requirements.
The UK applies additional national requirements for EV charging under the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 and the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023. The Smart Charge Points Regulations mainly apply to certain private charge points sold for domestic and workplace use, covering smart functionality, off-peak charging, randomised delay, cybersecurity, and user control requirements. Public charging operators are separately subject to requirements on payment, pricing transparency, reliability, and data under the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023
Other European countries may apply additional national requirements for EV charger installation, metering, grid connection, payment, or public charging operation. These requirements vary by country and project type, so buyers and operators should confirm applicable local regulations before deployment.
No. CE marking mainly addresses EU product-level regulatory requirements. Public charging projects must also consider AFIR, legal metrology, payment systems, ISO 15118, backend systems, charging-site registration, and grid-connection requirements.
Generally, yes. A test report for the wireless module alone cannot replace an assessment of the complete charger under RED. The antenna, installation position, complete-product EMC performance, wireless coexistence, RF exposure, and cybersecurity must still be evaluated.
Generally, no. These certifications may be recognised or required by customers, platform providers, insurers, or tender specifications, but they cannot replace the applicable CE process, EU DoC, or operational compliance requirements.
For buyers and operators, reliable EV charger certification assessment is not about counting how many certificates a supplier can provide. It is about confirming that:
The purchased configuration, applicable legislation, test standards, report scope, deployment scenario, and operational requirements all correspond with one another.
Xinya Dongfang Electricity Technology Co., Ltd.
