London, UK – February 10, 2026
Electric vehicle (EV) charger manufacturers and charge point operators in the UK are being advised by Versinetic, an EV charging solutions provider, to prepare for significant changes to charging standards set to take effect in 2026. These upcoming shifts are expected to raise the minimum technical and regulatory requirements for EV chargers sold or deployed within the country.
Convergence of New Protocols and Regulations
The evolving landscape is marked by the accelerated adoption of new technical protocols and the introduction of more stringent regulations. Key among these changes is the widespread implementation of ISO 15118, also known as Plug & Charge, which enables certificate-based authentication and secure communication between chargers and vehicles. Concurrently, the migration towards Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) versions 2.0.1 and 2.1 is enhancing expectations for cybersecurity, smart charging capabilities, and seamless interoperability with back-office systems.
In addition to these technical advancements, manufacturers must also adhere to UK-specific legislation, including the Smart Charge Points Regulations and Public Charge Point Regulations. These mandates impose compulsory requirements on aspects such as smart charging functionality, payment systems, operational reliability, and data transparency.
Implications for Manufacturers and Operators
Versinetic highlights that these combined technical and regulatory requirements are intensifying procurement and interoperability expectations across the entire charging network ecosystem. Manufacturers that fail to adapt their products risk encountering significant hurdles during the certification process, potentially leading to expensive redesigns or exclusion from future network procurements. This is particularly relevant as operators and fleet managers increasingly prioritize full compliance with the latest standards.
Versinetic Offers Guidance for Compliance
To assist the industry, Versinetic has released a comprehensive guide titled “Emerging UK EV Charging Standards: What Manufacturers Need to Know.” This resource aims to help manufacturers translate the complexities of the evolving standards into actionable design, testing, and certification strategies.
The guide is structured around five critical areas that directly influence charger development roadmaps: standards alignment, compliance and testing protocols, hardware and firmware architecture, readiness for operational deployment, and strategic future planning. It also features an interactive audit and compliance toolkit designed to enable manufacturers to assess their current preparedness against the new standards and identify potential risks associated with late design decisions that could impact certification, require retrofitting, or limit market access.
Expert Insight on Compliance Challenges
Dunstan Power, Managing Director at Versinetic, emphasized the critical nature of these standards. “UK EV charging standards are increasingly acting as gatekeepers for grid connection, certification, and commercial deployment,” Power stated. “What many manufacturers underestimate is when compliance decisions are effectively locked in during the development cycle.”
He further elaborated on a common pitfall: “One of the biggest risks we’re seeing is manufacturers assuming they can retrofit compliance later. In practice, hardware architecture, firmware structure and security choices constrain what can be achieved, and by the time non-compliance becomes visible, the cost and disruption are often far higher than expected.”