[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/India EV Charging Compliance IndiaEV Charging # India EV Charging Infrastructure Compliance Electric vehicle charging equipment (EVSE) sold or installed in India faces a complex multi-regulator compliance environment: BIS mandatory certification under the CRS scheme, BEE energy rating requirements, CEA technical standards for grid connection, and CMVR type approval for on-board chargers. Getting to market requires navigating all four — and the requirements are evolving rapidly alongside India's EV push. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Findia-ev-charging-compliance) At a glance Mandatory certification BIS CRS AC standard IS 17017-1, IS 17017-2 DC fast charger IS 17207 Energy efficiency BEE Star Rating Grid connection CEA Technical Standards ## Regulatory framework overview India's EVSE market is governed by four separate regulatory bodies with overlapping but distinct mandates. BIS handles product safety and type approval, BEE handles energy efficiency, CEA handles grid connection and installation safety, and CMVR covers in-vehicle charging systems. An EVSE product entering the Indian market must satisfy all applicable regulators simultaneously. ### BIS CRS mandatory certification — IS 17017 and IS 17207 **Details:** BIS Compulsory Registration Scheme certification under IS 17017 series (AC EV chargers) and IS 17207 (DC fast chargers) has been mandatory since 2022. EVSE cannot be legally sold or installed in India without a valid BIS CRS certificate. Each model requires a separate certification licence. ### BEE Star Rating for EV chargers **Details:** The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has introduced a star rating system for EV chargers measuring energy efficiency at rated load and standby power consumption. The programme began as voluntary but is progressively moving to mandatory status, with a mandatory energy label requirement from BEE's notification date. ### CEA Technical Standards for grid connection **Details:** The Central Electricity Authority's Technical Standards for Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Electric Plants and Electric Lines (2010, as amended) govern grid connection of EVSE. Requirements cover earthing, wiring standards, protection relays, and metering — compliance is verified by the local DISCOM during connection approval. ### CMVR type approval for on-board chargers (OBCs) **Details:** On-board chargers fitted inside electric vehicles are regulated under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) as part of vehicle type approval — this is separate from standalone EVSE compliance. OBC manufacturers supply to vehicle OEMs who hold CMVR type approval; EVSE manufacturers deal with BIS, BEE, and CEA only. ## BIS CRS certification for EV chargers BIS CRS certification is the non-negotiable first step for any EVSE entering the Indian market. Without a valid BIS CRS licence, a product cannot be legally imported, sold, or installed in India. The process from sample preparation to licence grant typically takes 3-6 months. 01 IS 17017-1 covers general requirements for electric vehicle conductive charging systems — safety, construction, performance, and marking requirements applicable to all AC and DC conductive EVSE. 02 IS 17017-2 specifies requirements for AC EV charging equipment, covering Type 1 (SAE J1772), Type 2 (IEC 62196-2), and Bharat AC-001 connector interfaces. Mode 2 portable chargers (granny chargers) are also covered under this standard. 03 IS 17207 specifies requirements for DC fast charging equipment, covering GB/T 20234.3 (Chinese standard — dominant in India), CCS2 (Combined Charging System Type 2), and CHAdeMO connector interfaces. 04 Mandatory testing must be conducted by a BIS-recognized laboratory — the BIS website maintains the current list of recognised labs. Test samples (typically 3 units per model) are submitted directly to the lab by the applicant. 05 BIS licence application is submitted through the BIS online portal (manakonline.in) with test reports, technical documentation, and application fee. Each model variant requires a separate application. 06 BIS officer factory inspection is conducted at the manufacturing facility before licence grant — foreign manufacturers must host BIS officers at their overseas factory, with travel and accommodation costs borne by the applicant. 07 Quarterly testing for licence renewal: BIS CRS licences require quarterly sample testing from production batches, submitted to a BIS-recognised lab. Failure to maintain quarterly testing leads to licence suspension. ## BEE Star Rating and energy efficiency BEE's energy labelling programme for EV chargers aligns with India's broader energy efficiency policy. As the programme moves to mandatory status, EVSE without a valid BEE registration cannot be sold. Manufacturers should pursue BEE registration alongside BIS CRS — the lab test scopes partially overlap and can be batched for efficiency. ### BEE 5-star rating system for EV chargers **Details:** BEE rates EV chargers on a 1-5 star scale based on efficiency at rated power output. Higher-star products consume less energy as heat and standby losses. The rating is displayed on a mandatory energy label affixed to the product, enabling consumers and installers to compare efficiency across models. ### Efficiency measurement and standby power limits **Details:** BEE measures efficiency at 100% rated load and at partial load (typically 50% and 25%) to capture real-world energy consumption. Standby power — drawn when the charger is connected to the grid but no vehicle is charging — is a key metric with defined maximum limits per star rating tier. ### BEE Star labelling and BIS CRS interaction **Details:** BIS CRS certification and BEE Star labelling are separate compliance requirements administered by different bodies (BIS under DPIIT, BEE under MoP). A product requires both: BIS CRS for market access (mandatory), and BEE Star labelling for energy efficiency claims. The two registrations can be pursued in parallel but require separate applications, fees, and test reports. ## CEA grid connection and safety standards CEA requirements govern the physical installation of EVSE and its connection to the distribution grid. These obligations fall primarily on the installer and CPO rather than the equipment manufacturer — but manufacturers whose products are used in non-compliant installations face liability and can be barred from government procurement. ### CEA regulations for EVSE installation **Details:** CEA's 2010 Technical Standards (amended) specify earthing requirements, cable sizing, distribution board protection, residual current devices (RCDs), and metering for EVSE installation points. Type B RCDs are required for AC EVSE with Type 2 connectors to handle DC fault currents from on-board chargers. ### State DISCOM connection approval process **Details:** Connection of EVSE to the distribution grid requires approval from the local DISCOM (distribution company). The applicant (CPO or premises owner) submits a load addition application. DISCOMs verify compliance with CEA installation standards and may require a BEE empanelled agency to certify the installation before granting grid connection. ### Net metering for smart charging with solar integration **Details:** EVSE combined with rooftop solar and net metering requires additional approvals from the DISCOM under state net metering regulations. Smart chargers with V2G (vehicle-to-grid) functionality face additional regulatory requirements under CERC and state electricity regulatory commissions — a compliance area that is still evolving in India. ### CPO licensing requirements **Details:** Charge Point Operators (CPOs) providing public charging services may require licences under state electricity regulations. Several states have issued CPO licensing frameworks specifying safety, consumer protection, and interoperability requirements. CPOs supplying EVSE to third parties must ensure their equipment meets BIS CRS and CEA standards. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which IS standards are mandatory for AC home EV chargers in India under BIS CRS? AC home EV chargers (Mode 3 wall boxes with Type 2 or Bharat AC-001 connectors) must be certified under IS 17017-1 (general requirements) and IS 17017-2 (AC-specific requirements). Mode 2 portable chargers (with the control box built into the cable) are also covered under IS 17017-2. Testing must be conducted by a BIS-recognised laboratory, and the BIS CRS licence must be obtained before the product is sold in India. ### Does India recognise IEC 61851 or only IS 17017 for EV charger type approval? India's IS 17017 is technically aligned with IEC 61851 (Electric Vehicle Conductive Charging System), and test reports generated to IEC 61851 by IECEE CB Scheme labs can sometimes be used as a basis for IS 17017 testing — reducing redundant testing. However, BIS requires IS 17017 test reports from a BIS-recognised laboratory for CRS certification; IEC 61851 reports alone are not sufficient. Check current BIS requirements as the list of accepted test standards and labs is updated periodically. ### What is the Bharat AC-001 connector and when must it be supported? Bharat AC-001 is a government-specified single-phase AC charging connector standard developed by BIS for the Indian market. It is a 15A single-phase connector designed for cost-effective home and public charging. Government guidelines for public charging infrastructure require Bharat AC-001 support alongside Type 2 connectors. For commercial EVSE targeting public charging, supporting Bharat AC-001 is effectively mandatory for government tender eligibility. ### How does BEE Star Rating interact with BIS CRS certification for EV chargers? BIS CRS and BEE Star Rating are independent compliance requirements with different regulatory bases — BIS CRS is mandatory for market access (you cannot sell without it), while BEE Star labelling is a separate mandatory label requirement once BEE notifies the product category. The two schemes test different aspects of the same product: BIS tests safety and functionality, BEE tests energy efficiency. Both must be pursued, but they involve separate lab tests, separate applications, and separate fees. Test samples can often be submitted to the same lab for both testing programmes. **Disclaimer:** This page is an educational resource only. India's EVSE regulatory framework is actively evolving — BIS standards, BEE notification dates, and CEA amendments change regularly. Verify current requirements with the relevant regulatory bodies before commencing certification. 🇮🇳 India roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇮🇳 India compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/04-bis-certification-for-electronics)[Prefer to read? 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