Legal inspection of charging stations for electric vehicles

The dangers of charging stations
We’re starting to see them in more and more neighborhoods and gas stations: charging points for electric cars. A charging station contains a lot of power. After all, the goal is to recharge the car as swiftly as possible so they can cover long distances again. This power also comes with risks. 

If charging stations are not installed correctly, there is a risk of fire or electrocution. If the battery of the electric vehicle catches fire, it is very difficult to extinguish it. The fire department almost always need to use a special container. If the fire department is not called (in time), more can burn down than just the installation and the electric vehicle. 

Compulsory statutory inspection for charging stations
In order to somewhat limit the dangers, the inspection of charging stations for electric vehicles is a legal requirement in Belgium. These statutory inspections must comply with the rules set out by the AREI (RD 08/09/2019 - Book 1).  

AREI stands for General Regulations on Electrical Installations. It contains a series of regulations that electrical equipment and electrical installations in Belgium must comply with.  The FPS Economy has also drawn up a list of Approved Inspection Bodies for electrical installations. SGS Statutory Services Belgium is one of those accredited bodies.

Domestic and non-domestic installations must comply with these legal provisions. Charging points that are used privately are household installations and charging points that can be used by anyone. For example a shared charging point in the neighborhood or charging points at gas stations, are non-household installations. 

Two types of statutory inspections imposed by the AREI

• Commissioning check: Before the charging station is put into use, a "fitness for use check" is required. This inspection must be carried out by an "Approved Inspection Body". When the first inspection shows that the installation is not installed in accordance with the requirements, a new inspection must take place after the necessary modifications.
• Periodic checks: After the initial inspection, periodic checks are mandatory. If, during a periodic inspection, it appears that the installation doesn’t meet the standards, a reinspection must take place after the necessary adjustments. This until an installation is fit for purpose. 
  • For non-domestic installations, these inspections must take place within 5 years of the inspection prior to commissioning and are valid for 5 years if no changes are made to the installation which also means a new periodical inspection is required every 5 years.
  • For domestic installations, the periodic inspection must take place 25 years after the inspection prior to commissioning. 

Statutory inspections of charging stations by SGS
SGS is an approved inspection body and our Statutory Services Belgium department can carry out the commissioning inspection and periodic inspections for you. 

How does a statutory inspection of charging stations by SGS work? 

1. You can easily make an appointment by reaching out by contacting the back office by email. 
2. The inspection will be carried out by an SGS inspector with the required competence. Our team of inspectors gets briefed regularly on any changes in legislation by a technical team with years of experience, so every inspection is stress-free.
3. You will receive a digital report in pdf format in clear language, so you know immediately whether the installation is compliant or not.
4. At that point there are two options
   1.  Your charge post is approved. Domestic installations may be used for 25 years without a new inspection being required and non-residential installations may be used for 5 years before a new inspection is required.
   2. Your charge point is rejected, and the report shows you what does not comply with the legislation (AREI). After adjustments are made, a new inspection is required before the charging station can be put into use.
5. In the year before but one before the expiry of the inspection period, you will receive a message from us asking you to schedule an appointment for the next inspection.

Contact
Would you like to know more about the legal inspection of charge points and be sure that your charge point is safe? Contact Rob Nuyts by email or telephone via +32 (0)470 53 65 47.