The rating label is the smallest part of a private-label EV charger and one of the easiest to get wrong. It carries the electrical ratings, conformity marks and company details that inspectors, customs officers and marketplaces check first. When a brand changes the artwork, it has to keep every required element legible and correct.
This article lists the markings typically required in the EU, Great Britain and the United States, and how to handle them when you rebrand. It belongs to our guide to OEM and private-label EV chargers. It is a practical overview, not legal advice; confirm the final label with your test lab or compliance adviser.
What a rating label has to do
A rating label identifies the product and tells the user and installer how it may be connected. The applicable product standard sets exact content, but EV charger labels usually show:
- Brand name and model number, matching the certificates and declarations.
- Rated input voltage, frequency, current and number of phases.
- Rated output current and, where relevant, power.
- Ingress protection (IP) rating and operating temperature range.
- Serial number or batch code for traceability.
- Conformity marks and the identification of the responsible company.
Labels must survive heat, UV and cleaning for the life of the product. Printed polyester labels, laser marking or molded text are common choices. Ask for durability evidence from the lab.
EU markings: CE, WEEE and company details
The European Commission states that the CE marking must be visible and legible and may not be smaller than 5 mm, and that the manufacturer is responsible for conformity assessment, the technical documentation and the EU declaration of conformity. Your Europe adds that the mark must be indelible, and that a business selling a product under its own brand counts as the manufacturer.
Electrical and electronic equipment also needs the crossed-out wheeled bin. Your Europe explains the WEEE label must be printed on the product, permanent and clearly visible, with the packaging used only where the product is too small. Article 14(4) and Annex IX of Directive 2012/19/EU set out the symbol and refer to EN 50419.
Finally, the label or accompanying information must identify the responsible economic operator. Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 requires an economic operator established in the Union whose name and contact details appear on the product, its packaging or accompanying document. Read EU GPSR and the responsible person for how this works for private-label brands. For CE requirements in more depth, see CE marking for private-label chargers.
Great Britain: UKCA or CE, plus importer details
GOV.UK guidance on using the UKCA marking sets a minimum height of 5 mm and requires the mark to be visible, legible and indelible. The UK also continues to recognise the CE marking in Great Britain, so many brands use CE alone or both marks. Importers must show their name and postal address on the product. Our article on UKCA vs CE for EV chargers sold in Great Britain explains the options.
United States: NRTL mark, FCC statement and ratings
Chargers sold in the US are normally listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, and the lab’s certification mark goes on the product with the information its listing requires. Each NRTL uses its own registered mark, as OSHA’s NRTL Program explains. See UL and ETL listing for EV chargers.
Chargers also contain digital electronics, so FCC Part 15 applies. Under 47 CFR 15.19, a device subject to certification or Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity carries a compliance statement in a conspicuous location: the device complies with part 15, may not cause harmful interference, and must accept interference received. Smart chargers with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth modules also show the FCC ID of the certified radio. Read FCC rules for EV chargers for the full picture.
Quick reference by market
| Marking | Market | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| CE marking | EU (also accepted in GB) | At least 5 mm, visible, legible, indelible |
| Crossed-out wheeled bin | EU | On the product, permanent; packaging only if product too small |
| EU economic operator details | EU | Name and contact details on product, packaging or document |
| UKCA marking | Great Britain | At least 5 mm; CE may be used alongside or instead |
| Importer name and address | Great Britain, EU | Postal address of the importer where it is not the manufacturer |
| NRTL certification mark | United States | Mark of the listing lab with its required information |
| FCC Part 15 statement | United States | Conspicuous location; FCC ID for certified radio modules |
| Electrical ratings | All markets | Voltage, current, frequency, phases, IP rating |
Handling markings in a private-label project
Rebranding changes the artwork, not the rules. A few habits keep labels compliant:
- Treat the rating label as a controlled document. Changes to text, size or position should be reviewed against the certificates before printing.
- Keep the brand logo separate from the legal marks. A large logo should never push conformity marks below minimum size. See logo and branding options.
- Match the model number exactly across label, manual, packaging, declarations and certificate.
- Check the box and manual too. Our guide to packaging, labeling and manuals covers the rest of the set.
- Approve a printed sample, not just a PDF, and keep it on file.
EVDANCE prints logos and colours on housing, cable and packaging and adapts labels to each market’s plug and connector configuration. Certification marks vary by model, so request the certificate and test report for the exact configuration. To plan your artwork, contact our team.
Key Takeaways
- The rating label must carry correct ratings, conformity marks and company details that match the certificates and declarations exactly.
- In the EU the CE marking must be at least 5 mm, and the crossed-out wheeled bin belongs on the product itself.
- Great Britain accepts CE as well as UKCA, but the importer’s name and postal address must appear on the product.
- In the US, the NRTL mark and the FCC Part 15 statement are the core markings, plus the FCC ID for any radio module.
Sources & Standards
- European Commission — CE marking: manufacturers
- Your Europe (European Union) — WEEE label: what does it mean, EU requirements
- European Union (EUR-Lex) — Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment
- U.S. Federal Communications Commission (eCFR) — 47 CFR 15.19 Labeling requirements
- GOV.UK — Using the UKCA marking
