DEKRA becomes authorized test lab for the Open Charge Alliance

The Open Charge Alliance (OCA), a global consortium of more than 150 companies active in the field of electric mobility, has launched an independent certification program for which it has selected the DEKRA laboratories in Arnhem (the Netherlands) and Virginia (USA) as official conformance testing laboratory for the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCCP).

The goal of OCPP is to offer a uniform solution for the communication between charging stations and charging station management systems. The OCPP protocol enables a central management system to connect with a charging station, regardless of the vendor.

The OCA has now brought OCPP to a next level with the introduction of a certification program. With the certificate, vendors of OCPP compliant systems can ensure their customers that the conformity to OCPP specifications has been validated by an approved independent test laboratory. This certification program is an advantage for the electrical vehicle market.

“By adding OCPP conformance testing to our service portfolio, DEKRA strengthens its position as leader in charging station testing. Our services contribute to a seamless charging experience for the consumer” says Vincent Roes, Vice President Strategic Development & Marketing and e-mobility lead in DEKRA’s Product Testing Division.

“DEKRA holds accreditation for the 3 global leading EV charging standards; EV READY, CHAdeMO and CCS (CharIN). Adding the Open Charge Alliance OCCP 1.6 communication conformance testing offers a truly unique one stop service for charging station manufacturers aiming to sell their product on the global market” says Beat Kreuter, Vice President Product Safety Testing at DEKRA’s Service Division Product Testing. “We expect another major milestone with the introduction of the CharIn Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) certification program, where we are collaborating with EV OEMs and charging station manufacturers under the umbrella of CharIN, in early 2020” he continues.

DEKRA’s full scope of services for EVSE includes the testing of AC and DC charging stations with respect to safety, EMC, usability, performance and interoperability.

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