The EU Safety Gate rapid alert system published alert SR/02897/26 on October 15, 2026, flagging a serious electric shock risk in an imported EV charging cable sold online. The alert, notified by the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland, covers the ROMADA “New Energy Charging Pile (EV Charger)”, model KQ02. The import was rejected at the border, the stock was ordered destroyed and the online marketplace listing was removed.
Key Takeaways
- Safety Gate alert SR/02897/26 flags a serious shock risk in an imported EV charging cable.
- The fault: an earth conductor that could disconnect before the live conductors.
- The import was rejected and destroyed, and the eBay listing was removed.
- Importers should ask for earth continuity and cord anchorage test evidence.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Alert number | SR/02897/26 (Safety Gate Report-2026-41) |
| Product | EV charging cable with a wall-mounting power supply, model KQ02 |
| Listing description | Sold on eBay as a “32A 7KW WIFI EV Charger Type 2” with a 5 m cable |
| Origin | People’s Republic of China |
| Risk | Electric shock (serious) |
| Legal basis cited | Radio Equipment Directive (EU); Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (UK) |
| Measures | Import rejected at border, destruction, marketplace listing removed |
What Went Wrong
In a safe cable design, the protective earth conductor is left slightly longer than the live conductors, so that if a cable is pulled from its anchorage, the earth is the last connection to break. The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) found that this product’s output cable earthing conductor was the same length as the live and neutral conductors, and the Safety Gate alert describes the earth as shorter than the current-carrying conductors. In a cable strain or vehicle drive-off incident, the earth could disconnect first, leaving accessible metal parts unearthed and potentially live.
The OPSS report, first published on September 15, 2026 under notification 2609-0021, adds that the product failed the earth bond test, which suggests the protective earthing path may be inadequate. The case was notified by Local Authority Trading Standards.
What It Means
For distributors and online sellers, the case shows how border checks and marketplace takedowns now work together. A low-cost charger can be stopped at import even after it has been listed. Buyers should ask suppliers for test reports that cover earth continuity and cord anchorage, not only a CE or UKCA mark, and check that the declared directives match the product’s radio functions, such as Wi-Fi.
Drivers who bought an unbranded or unfamiliar portable charger online can compare its model number against the official notice. EVDANCE supplies documented products through its distributor program, including the EV-ACS3210E 32A Type 2 portable charger.
Related Reading
- EV Charger Certifications Explained: CE, UKCA, UL, ETL, CB and What Buyers Should Ask For
- CE Marking for Private-Label EV Chargers Sold in the EU
- Selling Portable EV Chargers Online: Listing and Compliance Checklist
