CE marking is the legal conformity mark that every electric vehicle charger must carry before it can be sold in the European Economic Area (EEA). It is the manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets all applicable EU health, safety, and environmental protection requirements. It is not a quality certificate, a brand endorsement, or an independent laboratory mark — and a shipment without valid CE documentation can be seized at the EU border.
Which Directives and Standards Apply?
EV chargers fall under several EU directives, depending on their design:
- Low Voltage Directive (LVD) — electrical safety of the charger itself
- EMC Directive — electromagnetic compatibility and immunity
- Radio Equipment Directive (RED) — only when the charger has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular connectivity; since August 2025 this also includes cybersecurity under the EN 18031 series
- RoHS — restriction of hazardous substances
The core technical standards are EN IEC 61851-1 for AC charging safety and EN IEC 61851-23 for DC chargers. From April 15, 2026, DC chargers must comply with the updated EN IEC 61851-23:2025, which adds requirements such as ≥6 mA DC leakage current detection, OCPP 2.0.1 for public stations, and EN ISO 15118 support for V2G-capable units.
How CE Conformity Is Established
The manufacturer compiles a technical file — risk assessment, schematics, critical component list, test reports from ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories, and the EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) — and affixes the CE mark. For basic AC chargers without wireless features, self-declaration under Module A is permitted. DC fast chargers and wireless-connected units more often require Notified Body involvement.
Typical budgets and timelines:
- AC charger testing and documentation: $8,000–$15,000
- DC fast charger testing and documentation: $15,000–$40,000
- RED testing for wireless features: +$5,000–$15,000
- Overall timeline: 6–10 weeks, before any retests or design changes
How to Verify a Supplier’s CE Marking
Do not accept a certificate PDF at face value. Ask for the EU Declaration of Conformity, test reports from an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory, and any Notified Body certificates. Verify the laboratory’s accreditation, check that the standards versions on the DoC match the current harmonized standards, and confirm the model number matches the product you are ordering.
Where to Learn More
This entry covers the definition. For the complete country-by-country certification comparison — CE, UKCA, UL/ETL, FCC, KC, PSE, and more, with costs and verification steps — read Klitv’s EV charger certification requirements guide.
Need CE-compliant EV chargers for a European project? Contact our engineering team for certified hardware and full export documentation.