[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/UKCA Marking for EV Charging Equipment UKEV ChargingRegulation guide # UKCA Marking for EV Charging Equipment (EVSE) Electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) — home charge points, public AC chargers, and DC rapid chargers — sold or installed in Great Britain must carry the UKCA mark under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016. The EV charging sector also faces sector-specific requirements under the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, creating a layered compliance obligation that many manufacturers underestimate. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fukca-ev-charging) At a glance Marking required UKCA (GB market) Key legislation LVD, EMC, Smart Charge Points Regs 2021 Cyber standard ETSI EN 303 645 Charging standard BS EN 61851 series Enforcement OPSS / OZEV ## Applicable UKCA legislation for EVSE EVSE manufacturers face overlapping regulatory obligations in GB. A home charge point with Wi-Fi connectivity, for example, triggers four separate sets of regulations — each with its own conformity assessment requirements, designated standards, and technical file documentation. Mapping the full legislative stack before starting the compliance process saves significant rework. ### Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 (UK LVD equivalent) Covers electrical shock, fire, and thermal risk from EVSE operating between 50V AC and 1000V AC (or 75V DC and 1500V DC). Manufacturers must demonstrate equipment is safe when used as intended and under foreseeable misuse. Technical requirements reference designated standards (equivalent to harmonised standards under CE). A Declaration of Conformity and technical file are required. ### Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 EVSE must not emit electromagnetic disturbances exceeding limits that would interfere with other equipment, and must have adequate immunity to electromagnetic disturbances in its operating environment. Charge points generate significant switching transients; EMC testing against BS EN 61000 series standards is required. Both emissions and immunity must be demonstrated. ### Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 Applies to all new private charge points sold or installed in GB with a rated capacity of 3.5kW or above (with limited exemptions for rapid chargers and workplace destination chargers on separate circuits). Manufacturers must comply with smart functionality, randomised delay, demand-side response, and cyber security requirements. Enforcement is by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). ### Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (where Wi-Fi or cellular applies) If the charge point incorporates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular (4G/5G), or other radio transmitter/receiver functions for smart charging communications, the Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 apply in addition to LVD and EMC. This adds requirements for radio spectrum efficiency, interference avoidance, and — for equipment handling personal data or financial transactions — additional protection measures. ## Smart Charge Points Regulations 2021 requirements The Smart Charge Points Regulations 2021 are frequently underweighted by EVSE manufacturers who focus on electrical safety and EMC compliance. The regulations impose mandatory functional, communications, and cyber security requirements that cannot be addressed through hardware testing alone — firmware architecture, backend systems, and user interfaces are all in scope. 01 Smart charging functionality mandatory — home charge points and destination chargers must be capable of receiving and responding to signals to adjust charging schedules. Dumb chargers (no communication capability) cannot be sold in GB. 02 Randomised delay function — charge points must implement a randomised delay on startup to prevent simultaneous demand spikes when multiple vehicles begin charging at the same time, such as after a shared event. 03 Demand-side response capability — charge points must be capable of receiving signals from energy suppliers or aggregators to reduce or shift demand. This supports grid flexibility and smart tariff integration. 04 Adjustable charging schedules via app or smart meter — users must be able to set preferred charging times through a companion app or via smart meter communications. Default off-peak scheduling must be pre-configured. 05 Cyber security requirements aligned to ETSI EN 303 645 — charge points must meet baseline IoT security requirements including no universal default passwords, a vulnerability disclosure policy, and secure software update mechanisms. 06 Safety shutdown capability — charge points must be capable of being remotely shut down in response to a grid emergency signal, supporting demand reduction in critical situations. ## UKCA conformity assessment for EVSE Selecting the correct conformity assessment route and applying the right designated standards determines whether a manufacturer can self-certify or needs third-party assessment. For most residential and commercial AC charge points, self-certification under Module A is appropriate — but the technical file must be robust and test reports must reference current designated standards. ### Designated standards for EVSE Designated standards (the UK equivalent of harmonised standards) provide a presumption of conformity. Key designated standards for EVSE: BS EN 61851 series (Electric vehicle conductive charging systems — AC and DC charging requirements); BS EN IEC 62955 (Residual direct current detecting device for EV charging); BS EN 62133 (Integrated battery management in charging systems); BS EN 61000 series (EMC — emissions and immunity). Manufacturers should verify the current list of designated standards on the OPSS website as the list is updated. ### Module A self-certification for standard residential chargers Most home and standard commercial AC charge points can use Module A (internal production control) conformity assessment — the manufacturer draws up the technical file, tests against designated standards, and self-declares conformity. No third-party assessment is required for Module A. The technical file must be retained for 10 years and made available to market surveillance authorities on request. ### Appointed body involvement for novel technology Where a manufacturer cannot fully apply designated standards (novel charging technology, wireless charging, vehicle-to-grid bidirectional chargers), or where the manufacturer chooses not to use designated standards, involvement of a UK Appointed Body may be required for conformity assessment. Appointed Bodies are approved by UKAS and listed by OPSS. For DC rapid chargers above 22kW, additional assessment considerations apply. ### UKCA DoC and labelling requirements Manufacturers must draw up a UK Declaration of Conformity listing the regulations and designated standards applied. The UKCA mark must be affixed to the product (or where not possible, the packaging and accompanying documents) before placing on the GB market. The mark must be at least 5mm in height. The DoC must be made available to end users — typically via a URL in the product documentation. ## UK Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) grant scheme compliance For manufacturers selling into the residential and workplace charge point market, OZEV grant scheme approval is a significant commercial consideration. Products that are not on the OZEV-approved list are excluded from the largest install-driven sales channel in the GB market. UKCA marking is a prerequisite but not sufficient — the OZEV approval process adds a separate layer of functional and commercial assessment. ### OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) eligibility The EVHS provides a grant toward home charge point installation costs for eligible customers. To be eligible for the grant, the charge point must appear on OZEV's approved product list. Approval requires demonstration of UKCA marking compliance, smart charging functionality meeting the Smart Charge Points Regulations 2021, and meeting OZEV's minimum technical specification (minimum 7kW output, 5-year warranty, tethered or untethered socket options). Applications are submitted by OZEV-registered installers on behalf of customers. ### Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) requirements The WCS supports businesses, charities, and public authorities installing charge points for employees and fleet vehicles. Products must be on the OZEV-approved list, meeting the same UKCA and smart charging requirements as EVHS. WCS installations must be carried out by OZEV-registered installers. Smart charging verification — confirming the charge point can respond to demand-side signals — is assessed during the approval process. ### OZEV product approval process Manufacturers submit products for OZEV approval by providing: evidence of UKCA marking and Declaration of Conformity; test reports against designated standards; demonstration of smart charging functionality (OZEV conducts functionality testing); confirmation of cyber security measures meeting Smart Charge Points Regulations requirements; and commercial product information. Approval is product-model specific — variants with different firmware or hardware must be assessed separately. ### OZEV-registered installer requirements Grant scheme installations must be carried out by OZEV-registered installers, who must hold a relevant electrical qualification (City & Guilds 2919 or equivalent), hold EV charging installation certification, and be registered with OZEV. Manufacturers promoting grant-eligible products should maintain an up-to-date list of registered installers and provide installer-specific technical documentation, as installers are accountable for correct installation of approved products. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do EVSE products with CE marking need separate UKCA marking for the UK market? Yes. CE marking is not recognised for products placed on the Great Britain market (England, Scotland, and Wales) — UKCA marking is required. There was a grace period during which CE-marked products could be placed on the GB market, but this has expired for most product categories. Manufacturers must obtain UKCA marking for GB separately from CE marking for the EU. Northern Ireland is a special case: under the Windsor Framework, CE marking continues to apply for products sold in Northern Ireland, meaning manufacturers selling across the whole UK may need both marks. The UKCA conformity assessment process is broadly similar to CE but uses UK Appointed Bodies and UK Designated Standards. ### What are the Smart Charge Points Regulations cyber security requirements? The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 require that charge points comply with cyber security provisions broadly aligned to ETSI EN 303 645. Key requirements include: no universal default passwords (each device must have a unique default password, or require the user to set one before use); a published vulnerability disclosure policy allowing security researchers to report issues; and the ability to receive security updates throughout the device's supported lifespan. The regulations also require that the charge point protects user data in accordance with UK GDPR and that communications with energy management systems use authenticated and encrypted channels. ### Is a Designated Standard different from a harmonised standard for UKCA? Yes, with an important practical distinction. EU harmonised standards are published in the Official Journal of the EU and provide a presumption of conformity with CE marking requirements. UK Designated Standards serve the equivalent function for UKCA — they are listed by OPSS and provide a presumption of conformity with UK regulations. After Brexit, the UK initially adopted EU harmonised standards as designated standards, but the lists are now maintained independently and are diverging. Manufacturers should verify that the specific standard they are using appears on the current OPSS designated standards list for the relevant UK regulation, not just the EU harmonised standards list, as the two lists are no longer identical. ### How do OZEV grant requirements relate to UKCA marking obligations? UKCA marking is a legal prerequisite for placing EVSE on the GB market — it is required regardless of whether the product is sold through a grant scheme. OZEV grant eligibility is a separate, additional layer of requirements: products must have UKCA marking to be eligible, but UKCA marking alone does not guarantee OZEV approval. OZEV also requires smart charging functionality testing, demonstration of Smart Charge Points Regulations 2021 compliance, and minimum technical specifications (power output, warranty period, socket type). A product can be UKCA-marked and legally sold in GB without being on the OZEV-approved list, but it will not be eligible for installation under the EVHS or WCS grant schemes. **Disclaimer:** This page is an educational resource only and does not constitute legal advice. UKCA marking requirements, designated standards, and OZEV grant scheme eligibility criteria are subject to change. Verify current requirements with OPSS, OZEV, and qualified compliance advisers before placing products on the GB market. 🇬🇧 UK 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 🇬🇧 UK compliance for you? 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