EV charging standards and training centers

Regulatory framework

Requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of electric-vehicle charging infrastructure establish the basis for safe, reliable and compliant deployment.

Identification of regulatory texts for EV charging infrastructure activities:

• Rules relating to alternative-fuels infrastructure and charging points for electric vehicles;
• Rules defining qualification requirements for EV charging infrastructure installation;
• Rules covering design studies, installation and maintenance of electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.

Regulatory framework for charging infrastructure installation:

Charging infrastructure above 3.7 kW should be installed by professionals who are authorised for electrical work and hold a recognised qualification for the installation of this infrastructure.

• Professionals must be authorised in accordance with applicable electrical-safety rules;
• Companies must hold a qualification issued by an accredited qualification body.

This qualification requirement is accompanied by a prior training requirement. The training followed must be approved by the accredited qualification body.

Regulatory evolution for EV charging activities:

Updated requirements introduced changes to the regulatory framework for EV charging infrastructure activities:

• Qualification levels for EV charging installation linked to the training completed;
• Qualification obligations for EV charging infrastructure maintenance;
• A framework for mandatory design studies performed by companies qualified for this activity.

Note: a design study is required for EV charging infrastructure in car parks with at least 50 spaces and from four charging points in collective housing.

The qualification framework completes the requirements applicable to charging infrastructure deployment.

Two additional standards for maintenance

In addition to the five mandatory training standards, the electric mobility ecosystem has developed two additional maintenance standards for charging points to complete MA1.

These additional standards cover AC charging-point maintenance and DC charging-point maintenance.

GIEVSS encourages the ecosystem and all relevant stakeholders to use these standards.

EV charging qualification

Company qualification

Company qualification is a system intended to certify, on the basis of verified and regularly updated information, the competence and professionalism of a supplier and its presumed ability to deliver a service in a given activity. Qualification is issued by an accredited body according to the applicable qualification standard.

Qualification principles and requirements

Qualification is granted after the company application is reviewed against the requirements of the qualification framework, including:

• Legal, administrative, financial and contractual criteria;
• Technical criteria such as a technical referent, appropriate equipment and references.

As an example of technical criteria, a candidate should have at least one technical referent per group of twenty employees who meets initial training and experience requirements and has completed specific EV charging training. The company must also be able to provide references related to the qualification requested.

Company qualification is issued for four years with annual follow-up checks. A probationary qualification may be awarded to organisations with no references or insufficient references.

Each qualification body provides its own qualification criteria.

EV charging training

To meet the specific training requirement, the technical referent must complete training dedicated to EV charging infrastructure activities. This training must be validated by a successful assessment, generally through a knowledge test and a required passing score.

The training must be approved by the qualification body. Each qualification body provides the list of training courses it has approved.

Training content is based on common reference programs made available to the sector.

Approved training centers

EV charging qualifications followed by companies must be approved. Qualification bodies list approved training centers and the training programs they recognise.

• Approved EV charging training programs

• Approved EV charging training centers

GIEVSS member training centers

• APRICOM for levels 1, 2, 3, Maintenance MA1, MA2, MA3 and design studies

Training contact - inquiry@gievss.org

• ATSI for levels 1, 2, 3, Maintenance MA1, MA2 and MA3

Training contact - inquiry@gievss.org

• BLUE2BGREEN for levels 1, 2, 3, Maintenance MA1 and design studies

Training contact - inquiry@gievss.org

• BUREAU VERITAS for levels 1, 2 and Maintenance MA1

Training contact - inquiry@gievss.org

• HAGER for levels 1, 2, Maintenance MA1 and design studies

Training contact - inquiry@gievss.org