IEC 61851-23:2026 Published: V2G Interop Certification Required for DC Fast Chargers Exporting to EU, Korea, AU, Chile

On 30 April 2026, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) published IEC 61851-23:2026, the new standard for conformance testing of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) communication protocols in conductive EV charging systems. This update directly affects manufacturers and exporters of DC fast charging equipment targeting markets that have adopted the standard—including the European Union, South Korea, Australia, and Chile—where compliance with the new Plug-and-Play V2G interoperability type test becomes mandatory starting 1 September 2026.

Event Overview

The IEC officially released IEC 61851-23:2026 on 30 April 2026. Titled Electrically propelled road vehicles — Conductive charging system — Part 23: Conformance test for V2G communication protocol, the standard introduces mandatory type testing for bidirectional communication interoperability (Plug-and-Play V2G). From 1 September 2026, all DC fast charging devices exported to jurisdictions that have formally adopted this standard must pass the newly defined conformance test. The standard is closely aligned with ISO/IEC 15118-20, and leading Chinese DC fast charger manufacturers are reported to be accelerating integration of ISO/IEC 15118-20–compliant software stacks.

Industries Affected by This Update

DC Fast Charger Exporters and OEMs

Exporters supplying DC fast chargers to the EU, South Korea, Australia, or Chile will face mandatory conformity assessment under the new standard. Non-compliance may result in market access denial or delayed customs clearance. The requirement applies specifically to products placed on the market after 1 September 2026, meaning existing stock manufactured before that date may not be subject—but future production runs must meet the updated test criteria.

Charging Infrastructure Integrators and System Providers

Companies integrating DC chargers into larger fleet management, smart grid, or energy aggregation platforms must verify end-to-end V2G interoperability—not only at the hardware level but also across communication layers. The new test explicitly covers Plug-and-Play functionality, implying stricter validation of automatic session negotiation, certificate handling, and dynamic load control between vehicle and charger.

Embedded Software and Protocol Stack Developers

Vendors providing ISO/IEC 15118–compliant communication stacks (e.g., TLS handshake, digital certificate exchange, SDP negotiation) must ensure compatibility with the test cases defined in IEC 61851-23:2026. Since the standard references ISO/IEC 15118-20 as its underlying protocol basis, developers need to confirm alignment with version-specific message sequences and error-handling requirements introduced in that revision.

Third-Party Certification Bodies and Test Laboratories

Laboratories accredited for EV charging conformity testing must now expand their scope to include the new V2G interoperability test procedures outlined in IEC 61851-23:2026. This requires updating test plans, acquiring compatible test tools (e.g., compliant EV simulators), and training personnel on the revised pass/fail criteria—particularly around real-time response timing, security handshaking robustness, and fallback behavior during partial failures.

What Relevant Enterprises or Practitioners Should Focus On and How to Respond

Monitor official adoption timelines per jurisdiction

While the IEC standard is published, national adoption (e.g., via EN, KS, AS/NZS, or NCh standards) remains a separate step. Enterprises should track formal transposition announcements from national standards bodies—especially the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC), Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), Standards Australia, and Instituto Nacional de Normalización (INN) in Chile—to confirm exact enforcement dates and transitional arrangements.

Prioritize certification readiness for Q3 2026 shipments

Given the 1 September 2026 effective date, companies planning exports to affected markets in Q3 2026 must initiate type testing no later than mid-July 2026 to accommodate lab scheduling, potential retesting, and documentation review. Early engagement with accredited labs is advisable, as demand for V2G interoperability testing is expected to rise sharply in H2 2026.

Verify ISO/IEC 15118-20 stack implementation depth

Compliance with IEC 61851-23:2026 depends on full implementation of ISO/IEC 15118-20 features—not just basic message exchange. Enterprises should audit their software stacks for support of enhanced security profiles (e.g., TLS 1.3 with ECDHE), Plug-and-Play discovery mechanisms, and V2G service list negotiation—key areas highlighted in the new test specification.

Review supply chain contracts for compliance obligations

Manufacturers sourcing communication modules, security chips, or certified firmware from third-party suppliers should revisit contractual terms to clarify responsibility for IEC 61851-23:2026 conformance. Where applicable, update procurement specifications to require documented evidence of test coverage against the new standard’s clauses.

Editorial Observation / Industry Perspective

Observably, IEC 61851-23:2026 signals a decisive shift from voluntary V2G capability toward enforceable interoperability—a move that elevates technical due diligence in global DC fast charging exports. Analysis shows this is less a sudden regulatory shock and more a formalized culmination of multi-year harmonization efforts across ISO, IEC, and regional standardization bodies. From an industry perspective, the standard does not introduce entirely new technology, but rather codifies minimum functional and security thresholds for real-world V2G deployment. It is best understood not as a standalone product certification hurdle, but as a foundational requirement for participation in increasingly regulated smart-charging ecosystems—especially those tied to grid services, time-of-use pricing, or renewable energy integration programs.

Current attention should focus less on whether the standard will apply—and more on how quickly national authorities finalize transposition and whether transitional allowances will be granted for legacy-certified units. Given the narrow window between publication (April) and enforcement (September), lead times for testing and documentation remain tight, making proactive alignment essential.

In summary, IEC 61851-23:2026 marks the operationalization of V2G interoperability as a trade prerequisite—not merely a technical feature. Its significance lies in binding communication reliability and security to market access, thereby raising the baseline for global DC fast charging exports. It is more accurately interpreted as a procedural milestone than a technological inflection point; its impact unfolds through certification logistics, supply chain coordination, and cross-border regulatory alignment—not through disruptive innovation.

Source: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), IEC 61851-23:2026 edition, published 30 April 2026. Note: National adoption status and enforcement details for individual markets (EU, Korea, Australia, Chile) remain subject to ongoing updates from respective national standards bodies and remain under observation.