Mandatory EV Charger Certifications by Charger Type and Market
For different types of electric vehicle chargers, the so-called “mandatory certifications” in each country or region are, in essence, regulatory compliance requirements that must be met before a product can legally enter the local market. These legal requirements are often further reinforced by utility companies, local authorities, insurers, and project owners, creating what is effectively a non-negotiable compliance threshold.
Below, we organize mandatory—or de facto mandatory—certifications by charger type × major country/region, based on how EV supply equipment (EVSE) is regulated and enforced in real-world deployments.
Classification Scope
- AC residential / commercial chargers: Wallboxes, pedestal AC chargers (typically 7–22 kW)
- DC fast / ultra-fast chargers: Public DC chargers (approximately 30–350 kW)
- Portable EVSE & charging cables: Mode 2 / Mode 3 cables and in-cable control devices
Most jurisdictions do not differentiate AC and DC chargers when defining whether certification is mandatory. Instead, they classify them broadly as electric vehicle power supply equipment, and then apply different technical standards within that category.
Mainland China
Applicable products
- All EVSE: residential AC chargers, public AC chargers, DC fast chargers
- Key components such as EV charging cables and connectors
Mandatory certification
- CCC (China Compulsory Certification)
Official regulations issued in 2024 clarify that EV power supply equipment will be fully included under CCC management from March 1, 2025, with a hard enforcement date of August 1, 2026. After that date, products without CCC certification and marking may not be manufactured, sold, imported, or used in commercial operations.
The certification is legally mandatory for both AC and DC chargers, regardless of power level. Technical evaluation is based primarily on GB/T 18487.1 and GB/T 20234, and follows a model of type testing, factory inspection, and ongoing supervision.
European Union / EEA
Applicable products
- All EV chargers placed on the EU/EEA market (AC and DC)
- Active charging cables and portable EVSE with electronic control
Mandatory market access marking
- CE marking
CE marking is a legal requirement, not a voluntary label. EV chargers must comply with the Low Voltage Directive (LVD), EMC Directive, and RoHS, using EN/IEC standards such as EN IEC 61851 as technical evidence of conformity.
While many project owners also request third-party marks (e.g., TÜV), these are commercial trust enhancers, not statutory requirements.
United Kingdom
In Great Britain, the UKCA mark replaces CE as the mandatory market access marking. AC and DC chargers must complete conformity assessment under UK regulations before being placed on the market.
Because UK technical rules remain closely aligned with EU requirements, many manufacturers pursue dual CE + UKCA compliance to cover both markets efficiently.
Japan
Applicable products
- AC chargers, portable EVSE, and charging cables
Mandatory certification
- PSE marking under the DENAN (Electrical Appliance and Material Safety) Law
Depending on classification, EV chargers and cables may fall under “specified electrical products” (requiring a diamond-shaped PSE mark) or “non-specified electrical products” (round PSE mark). In either case, PSE is legally mandatory for manufacturing, import, and sale in Japan.
High-power DC charging stations are often deployed as integrated infrastructure projects and may require additional approvals under power utility and construction regulations.
North America (United States & Canada)
Legal vs. practical enforcement
At the federal level, U.S. law does not explicitly mandate “UL certification.” However, in practice, EV chargers must pass inspection by local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), comply with electrical codes, and be accepted by utilities and insurers.
As a result, NRTL listing (UL, ETL, CSA) is considered de facto mandatory for AC and DC EVSE in North America.
Commonly required standards
- UL 2594 – AC EVSE safety
- UL 2202 – DC fast charging equipment
- UL 2251 – EV connectors
- UL 2231-1 / 2231-2 – shock protection and ground fault monitoring
Canada follows a similar model, using CSA standards within the same NRTL framework.
Mandatory Certification Overview Table
| Charger Type | China | EU / EEA | UK | Japan | USA / Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential AC Charger | CCC (mandatory) | CE (mandatory) | UKCA (mandatory) | PSE (mandatory) | NRTL listing (UL/ETL – de facto mandatory) |
| Public AC Charger | CCC (mandatory) | CE (mandatory) | UKCA (mandatory) | PSE + site approvals | NRTL listing + NEC compliance |
| DC Fast / Ultra-fast Charger | CCC (mandatory) | CE (mandatory) | UKCA (mandatory) | PSE + high-voltage approvals | NRTL listing (UL 2202, UL 2231, etc.) |
| Portable EVSE / Charging Cable | CCC (where applicable) | CE (mandatory) | UKCA (mandatory) | PSE (mandatory, often diamond mark) | NRTL listing under EVSE/cable standards |
Key Takeaway
While certification frameworks differ by region, the underlying principle is consistent: EV chargers must satisfy legally binding safety and compliance requirements before market entry. In some regions this obligation is explicit in law (CCC, CE, UKCA, PSE), while in others—such as North America—it is enforced through inspections, utilities, and insurance, making certification effectively unavoidable.
For manufacturers targeting multiple markets, early certification planning and alignment with international standards is critical to avoiding delays, redesigns, and deployment barriers.
