Technical harmonisation: Council approves new requirements for car chargers and other measuring instruments
The Council has today adopted a directive amending the requirements for measuring instruments sold and placed on the single market. The updated measuring instruments directive (MID) will facilitate the deployment of electric vehicle chargers, compressed gas dispensers, and thermal energy meters, which are essential for the green transition. The revised rules also prioritise digitalisation and smart metering and support the use of emerging gases such as hydrogen to help decarbonise industrial processes.
“The new measuring instruments directive sets common standards for electric chargers and gas dispensers, clearing the path for the widespread deployment of charging infrastructure. This is a decisive move in Europe’s transition to a greener and more energy-efficient mobility system, driving us toward a cleaner future.”
– Michael Damianos, Minister for Energy, Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus
New requirements for vehicle chargers
The agreement expands the scope of the MID to cover all electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), including rail, boats, vessels, and aircraft. It introduces requirements for EVSE cables to be easily replaced if damaged or stolen, without compromising on the device’s performance. When displaying measurement results, gas and electricity meters will show data directly on the meter or via remote display, while EVSE and compressed gas dispensers can present the information on the vehicle’s screen or on end-user devices, such as smartphones.
Next steps
Following the Council’s approval, the legislative act has been adopted. The regulation will enter into force on the 20thday following its publication in the official journal. Member States will have24 months to implement the new rules into their national legal framework. The new requirements will apply 30 months after the entry into force of the directive, except for EVSE chargers and compressed gas dispensers (the two new elements of the directive adopted today), which will enjoy a longer transitional period of 48 months.
Background
The measuring instruments directive (MID) was established in 2004 and updated in 2014 to align with the principles of the new legislative framework. This revision introduced a unified set of obligations for economic operators and standardised conformity assessment procedures. However, the existing framework did not account for newer types of measuring instruments, and some key requirements had become outdated and no longer technology-neutral (such as display requirements). This limitation has hindered the adoption of modern digital solutions that would benefit consumers. The new directive also addresses the issue of vandalism and theft of cables at electric vehicle charging stations.