Certification standards that Chinese charging piles need to comply with when exported to Europe

Certification standards that Chinese charging piles need to comply with when exported to Europe

Compared with China, the development of charging infrastructure in Europe and the United States lags behind. Securities data indicates that by the end of 2022, China’s ratio of public charging points to vehicles stood at 7.3, whereas the corresponding figures for the United States and Europe were 23.1 and 12.7 respectively. This represents a significant gap from the target ratio of 1:1.

Projections based on new energy vehicle sales growth, penetration rates, and an annual reduction in the vehicle-to-charger ratio towards 1:1 indicate that from 2023 to 2030, the compound annual growth rates for public charging point sales in China, Europe, and the US will reach 34.2%, 13.0%, and 44.2% respectively. As demand for charging points in the European market steadily increases, significant export opportunities for charging infrastructure exist.

As the global leader in charging equipment manufacturing, Chinese charging station manufacturers have commenced exports to Europe. Securities firm data indicates that over 30,000 charging stations—encompassing both AC and DC models—have been exported from China to Europe. This demonstrates that Chinese-manufactured charging products are gaining recognition in the European market and steadily expanding their market share.

Should you be planning to enter the European charging infrastructure market, compliance with European certification standards is paramount. Below are the certification standards you need to understand, along with their specific details and associated costs:

1. CE Certification: Applicable to all electrical equipment, this is a mandatory safety certification within the European Union. The standard covers electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, the Low Voltage Directive, and other aspects. Certification costs vary depending on the product type and complexity. Typically, CE certification fees include testing costs, document review fees, and the certification body’s service charges. Testing fees are generally determined based on actual product testing, while documentation review fees are assessed according to the examination of product documentation and technical files. Certification body service fees vary between organisations, typically ranging from £30,000 to £50,000, with a processing time of approximately 2-3 months (excluding rectification periods).

2. RoHS Certification: Applicable to all electrical and electronic products, this is a mandatory environmental certification within the EU. This standard restricts the content of hazardous substances in products, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium. Certification costs also vary depending on product type and complexity. RoHS certification fees generally include material analysis, laboratory testing, and documentation review charges. Material analysis fees determine the content of materials within the product, while laboratory testing fees assess the levels of prohibited substances. Document review fees are determined by the examination of product documentation and technical files, typically ranging from ¥50,000 to ¥200,000, with a processing time of approximately 2-3 weeks (excluding rectification periods).

3. TUV Certification: Issued by the German TUV Rheinland organisation, it is widely accepted in European markets. This certification standard covers product safety, reliability, environmental performance, and other aspects. Certification costs vary by certification body and standard, with annual renewal fees typically amounting to ¥20,000.

4. EN Certification: Note that EN is not a certification but a regulation; EN represents standards. Only after passing EN testing can the CE mark be affixed, enabling export to the EU. EN establishes product standards, with different products corresponding to different EN standards. Passing testing for a specific EN standard also signifies compliance with CE certification requirements, hence it is sometimes referred to as EN certification. Applicable to all electrical equipment, it constitutes the European electrical safety certification standard. This certification standard covers electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, the Low Voltage Directive, and other aspects. Certification costs vary depending on the certification body and specific project. Typically, EN certification expenses encompass associated training fees, testing charges, and certification fees, generally ranging from £2,000 to £5,000.

Due to various influencing factors, it is advisable to contact the relevant certification body or consult a professional certification agency for precise information regarding CE certification, RoHS certification, TÜV, and EN certification costs.