OCPP Certification for EV Charging Equipment

A technical overview of Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) certification and its role in EV charging interoperability.

What is OCPP?

The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is an open communication standard developed to enable interoperability between electric vehicle charging stations and backend charging management systems.

OCPP allows charging hardware and software platforms from different manufacturers to communicate using a standardized set of messages, supporting functions such as:

• Remote start and stop of charging sessions
• Status and fault monitoring
• Energy usage and transaction reporting
• Remote firmware and configuration updates
• Security and authentication mechanisms

Why OCPP certification matters

While OCPP itself is an open protocol, certification provides independent verification that a charging product correctly implements the protocol according to defined specifications.

OCPP-certified equipment is often preferred in:

• Public charging networks
• Commercial and fleet deployments
• Multi-vendor charging environments
• Projects requiring long-term system flexibility

Commonly referenced OCPP versions

Multiple versions of OCPP are in use today, each supporting different feature sets and security capabilities.

• OCPP 1.6 – Widely deployed; supports core charging operations and basic security profiles
• OCPP 2.0 / 2.0.1 – Enhanced security, improved device management, and advanced functionality

Newer versions are generally designed to address evolving cybersecurity, scalability, and interoperability needs.

General OCPP certification pathway

Manufacturers pursuing OCPP certification typically follow a structured, third-party verification process coordinated through recognized testing organizations.

Protocol conformance definition

Manufacturers define which parts of the OCPP specification their equipment implements, such as core functionality, security profiles, or advanced features.

Independent testing

Charging stations and/or management systems are tested against standardized OCPP test cases to verify protocol compliance, message handling, and security behavior.

Certification and listing

Once testing is successfully completed, certification bodies issue confirmation that the equipment meets the applicable OCPP requirements for the tested scope.

Relationship to EV charging programs

OCPP certification is frequently referenced as a technical interoperability benchmark within EV charging initiatives, procurement guidelines, and network requirements.

However, OCPP certification alone does not determine eligibility for incentives, utility programs, or equipment listings. Additional technical, safety, and administrative criteria often apply.

Key considerations for manufacturers and site hosts

• Determine which OCPP version aligns with long-term deployment goals
• Evaluate security profile requirements early in product design
• Coordinate OCPP certification with safety and energy-efficiency certifications
• Plan for ongoing firmware updates to maintain protocol compliance

Summary:
OCPP certification provides independent confirmation that EV charging equipment can communicate reliably and securely within multi-vendor charging ecosystems. Understanding OCPP versions, certification scope, and interoperability implications can help stakeholders make informed technology and procurement decisions.