On 13 May, the European Commission has decided to harmonise the EPAC-standard, EN 15194:2017+A1:2023 under the Machinery Directive. This has major implications for the battery requirements in the standard.

A few years ago, the Netherlands issued a formal objection against the battery requirements in the EN 15194:2017. Those requirements consisted of a note, rather than a formal requirement clause, and offered a choice between EN 62133 or EN 50604-1. In response to this objection, the Commission removed the harmonisation of the EN 15194:2017 under the Battery Directive for the battery requirements.

In the meantime, CEN/TC333 has replaced the note with a full-fledged requirement. As a result, batteries shall comply with EN 50604-1:2016 and EN 50604-1:2016/A1:2021. For the application of the new requirement, a two-year transition period has been provided, which will end on 23 August 2025. From 24 August 2025, only EN 50604-1:2016 and EN 50604-1:2016/A1:2021 will be valid for EPACs to comply with the EN 15194.

This change in EN 15194 regarding batteries raises many questions in the LEV sector. Companies are wondering whether they are legally obliged to apply the new battery requirement immediately. The question of what to do with batteries that still meet the “old” standard also comes up frequently.

At Eurobike, LEVA-EU, in collaboration with SBS, is organising an information meeting on standardisation in the LEV sector. During this meeting, questions regarding the new battery requirements will be answered. Nevertheless, many other aspects of standardisation will also be discussed at the meeting:

• What is a standard? What is a harmonised standard?
• What is presumption of conformity?
• Which Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) qualify for standardisation?
• How is a standard made? Why and how to participate in standardisation?
• What’s the relation between standards and legislation?
• What is the status of harmonisation in the LEV-sector?
• How to apply/use a standard?
• What are the relevant published LEV standards?
• Which standards relevant for LEVs are currently in the making?

The meeting takes place on Thursday 3 July from 11.45 till 14.15 in in Meeting Room Symmetrie 2, Hall 8. The meeting is free of charge for all interested professional visitors, to whom a modest lunch will be offered. To ensure ample food and drinks, registration on the following website is required: https://www.eventbrite.be/e/leva-eu-info-meeting-at-eurobike-light-electric-vehicle-standardization-tickets-899832121097