EU Council: Calibration requirement for cut charging cables removed

After more than two decades of largely unchanged technical specifications, the European Measuring Instruments Directive is getting an update: The Council of the European Union (EU Council) has decided to amend Directive 2014/32/EU ("Measuring Instruments Directive", MID). This is intended to ensure harmonized, technology-neutral requirements for measuring systems at charging facilities for electric vehicles and at gas pumps for gases such as hydrogen in the future; in addition, measuring instruments for thermal energy are explicitly also covered for cooling applications.

To this end, the EU Council, with an amendment to the directive on measuring instruments, will ensure that they can be tested and placed on the market according to uniform rules in the internal market. The MID harmonizes requirements and conformity assessment for certain measuring instruments in the European Union.

Common standards for charging stations

One of the focal points is a practical problem at public charging points: cables are damaged or stolen. In the future, measuring systems at charging facilities must be designed in such a way that a cable with a connector is either not replaceable and secured by suitable sealing. Or, if it is to be replaceable, the replacement is possible without opening metrologically sealed components or breaking the metrological seal. The replacement must not affect the metrological properties of the system. This is intended to allow a cable to be replaced in the event of damage without the measuring system subsequently having to be re-tested.

Measurement results on display or smartphone

Gas and electricity meters must make measurement results accessible directly at the device or via remote display. For charging facilities for electric vehicles and gas pumps, measurement data may also be displayed on end-user devices. At the same time, specific requirements for energy conversions are being established to make billing comparable, among other things.

"The new Measuring Instruments Directive sets common standards for electric charging facilities and gas pumps – and thus paves the way for the broad expansion of charging infrastructure. This is a crucial step for Europe's transition to a greener and more energy-efficient mobility system and brings us closer to a cleaner future," says Michael Damianos, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus.

It is still unclear when the changes will come into effect. As this is a directive, the member states must first transpose the requirements into national law. As soon as the regulation is published, it will enter into force 20 days later. Member states will then have 24 months to apply the new regulations.

(mack)