Directive 2026/706: new requirements for electric vehicle chargers and energy meters

Key data

Meter manufacturers, charging station operators and gas distributors have an immediate obligation: to review whether their equipment meets the new standards of Directive (EU) 2026/706. The regulation entered into force on 11 March 2026 and applies throughout the European Economic Area, harmonising the internal market for these devices.

The directive amends Directive 2014/32/EU on measuring instruments, incorporating for the first time specific requirements for measurement systems at electric vehicle charging points and compressed gas dispensers, and updating the technical requirements for electricity, gas and thermal energy meters.

What does this regulation establish?

Directive 2026/706 introduces specific changes to Directive 2014/32/EU in three main areas:

The objective is to ensure that measuring instruments used in energy and electric mobility infrastructure provide reliable and type-approved data throughout the European internal market. This affects both the design and manufacture of equipment and the installation and conformity verification processes.

Economic and operational impact

The regulation has direct consequences on two levels: that of manufacturers and that of operators.

For manufacturers: they will need to adapt their products to the new precision standards and obtain the corresponding certification before placing them on the EEA market. This involves reviewing design, production and type-approval processes, with the associated costs.

For charging station operators and gas distributors: the obligation is to verify that equipment already installed or in the process of being installed meets the new requirements. Equipment that does not pass this conformity verification will need to be replaced or adapted.

The application of the regulation throughout the European Economic Area also represents an opportunity: manufacturers who certify their equipment in accordance with the new directive gain access to a harmonised market without additional technical barriers between member states.

Who is affected?

• Electricity meter manufacturers: must adapt their products to the new technical and certification standards.
• Gas meter manufacturers: same obligation to adapt products and processes.
• Thermal energy meter manufacturers: same obligation to adapt products and processes.
• Manufacturers of measurement systems for electric vehicle charging points: must incorporate the new specific precision and certification requirements into their supply equipment.
• Compressed gas dispenser manufacturers: must comply with the new specific measurement requirements.
• Electric vehicle charging station operators: must verify the compliance of their installed equipment with the new regulation.
• Gas distributors: must verify the compliance of their dispensers and measuring equipment.
• Energy measurement equipment installation companies: must adapt their installation processes to the new standards.

Practical example

An operator of an electric vehicle charging station network with charging points installed across several regions must, from 11 March 2026, verify that the measurement systems at each charging point meet the new precision and certification requirements established by Directive 2026/706.

If the installed equipment was certified solely under the previous Directive 2014/32/EU and does not incorporate the new specific requirements for electric vehicle supply equipment, the operator must coordinate with the manufacturer to determine whether a certification update is available or whether equipment replacement is necessary. This process affects both equipment already in service and equipment in the acquisition or installation phase.

The same applies to a compressed gas distributor operating dispensers: they must review the conformity documentation for each piece of equipment and, if it does not meet the new standards, initiate the replacement or adaptation process with the manufacturer.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify the affected equipment: draw up an inventory of all measurement systems in use (electricity, gas and thermal energy meters, EV charging points and compressed gas dispensers) to determine which fall within the scope of Directive 2026/706.
2. Verify the compliance of each piece of equipment: review the certification documentation for each piece of equipment and identify whether it meets the new precision and certification standards required by the directive.
3. Contact manufacturers: for equipment that does not comply, consult the manufacturer to determine whether a certification update is available or whether equipment replacement is necessary.
4. Adapt installation processes: installation companies must update their procedures to ensure that all newly installed equipment complies with Directive 2026/706 from the outset.
5. Update procurement and type-approval processes: include compliance with Directive 2026/706 as a mandatory requirement in procurement specifications and supplier contracts.
6. Document compliance: maintain an up-to-date record of the compliance status of each piece of equipment, particularly in view of possible inspections or audits by the competent authorities.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202600706