In short: to sell an EV charger in Great Britain you need to show it is safe and electromagnetically compatible, with UKCA or CE marking backed by a technical file. If it is a private charger for cars or vans below 50 kW, it must also meet the Smart Charge Points Regulations, including smart functions, security and default off-peak charging. Chargers sold for public use must let the operator meet the Public Charge Point Regulations. Plan these requirements into the design, not after the first samples.
This article is for brands, importers and manufacturers bringing a charger to the GB market. It covers which rules apply, what they require and how to avoid the most common delays. If you install or operate chargers rather than make them, see our guide to EV charging regulations for site owners. For how the UK compares with the EU and US, see our overview of EV charger certification in the UK, EU and US.
Which product safety rules apply?
Like other electrical products, chargers sold in Great Britain must meet the core product safety rules. GOV.UK’s guidance on conformity marking lists the main regimes, including the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 and, for chargers with wireless connections, the Radio Equipment Regulations 2017.
You can use either marking. The government has confirmed that the UK continues to recognise the CE marking alongside or in place of the UKCA marking for the Great Britain market. Whichever you use, you need a technical file and a declaration of conformity, and you must be able to show the tests behind them.
Do the Smart Charge Points Regulations apply?
They apply to most private chargers for cars and vans, including home, workplace and depot chargers. The regulations, in force since 30 June 2022, cover charge points intended for charging cars or vans, other than public charge points and rapid charge points of 50 kW or more.
In-scope chargers must, among other things:
- have smart functionality, able to send and receive information over a communications network;
- keep smart functions if the owner changes electricity supplier;
- continue to charge if the network connection is lost;
- measure electricity used in kWh, and let the owner see the data;
- come with pre-set default charging hours outside the weekday peaks of 8am to 11am and 4pm to 10pm, which the owner can change;
- apply a randomised delay to the start of charging, by default up to ten minutes, which the owner can cancel; and
- meet the security requirements set out in the regulations’ schedule.
Sellers must also provide a statement of compliance and keep a register of sales. GOV.UK’s guidance on the regulations explains the requirements in more detail. Security is the area most likely to need design changes, so review it with your firmware team early.
What about chargers for public use?
The Public Charge Point Regulations 2023 place duties on charge point operators rather than manufacturers, but your product must make compliance possible. Operators need chargers that support contactless payment where required, show prices in pence per kWh, report status for open data, and are reliable enough for their network to meet the 99% rule for rapid chargers. Operators will ask for evidence of all of these.
Accessibility is also on buyers’ lists. PAS 1899:2022 from the British Standards Institution sets out how to make public charge points accessible, and public-sector tenders often require it.
What will buyers ask for beyond the law?
- OCPP certification: proof the charger works with any compliant back office. The Open Charge Alliance runs certification through independent testing laboratories. See OCPP explained.
- Installation support: clear instructions so installers can meet BS 7671, the IET wiring regulations, which include specific requirements for EV charging.
- Service and spares: a UK-based route for repairs and parts, because operators are judged on uptime.
- Field evidence: reliability data from installations similar to the buyer’s.
How do you avoid delays?
- Decide the target market before the design is frozen. Smart charging, security and payment features are far easier to design in than retrofit.
- Book test laboratory slots early. Safety, EMC and OCPP testing all take time, and failures mean retests.
- Own the technical file. If a factory makes the product for you, make sure you hold the test reports and design documents. Our article on working with an ODM explains why.
- Control changes. A new component or firmware version can invalidate test results. Agree a change control process with the factory.
Checklist
| Requirement | Applies to |
|---|---|
| UKCA or CE marking, technical file, declaration of conformity | All chargers |
| Smart Charge Points Regulations | Private chargers for cars and vans, below 50 kW and not public |
| Features for Public Charge Point Regulations | Chargers sold for public use |
| PAS 1899 accessibility | Public chargers, often required by buyers |
| OCPP certification | Expected by most business buyers |
| BS 7671-ready installation instructions | All chargers |
Frequently asked questions
Is a CE-marked charger enough for Great Britain?
CE marking is recognised for the GB market, but private chargers must also meet the Smart Charge Points Regulations, which are UK-specific. Check both.
Do the smart charging rules apply to depot chargers?
Yes, if they charge cars or vans, are below 50 kW and are not public. Rapid and public chargers are outside their scope.
Who is responsible if an imported charger does not comply?
The business placing it on the GB market carries the obligations, so importers and brand owners need the evidence, not just the factory.
Our market entry strategy service maps the approvals and test plan for your product. Tell us what you are bringing to market.
