Charging cables for commercial electric vehicles must be inspected
- March 18, 2026
Electromobility long since become part of everyday commercial life. Whether it’s a small business, a care service, or an industrial company—electric vehicles are now a standard part of many corporate fleets. However, as their use becomes more widespread, so do the requirements for safe and legally compliant operation.
However, while vehicles undergo regular inspections, one crucial safety-critical component is often overlooked: the charging cable. In everyday use, it is often viewed merely as an accessory, even though it plays a central role in the charging process and is regularly subjected to mechanical and electrical stress.
However, the relevant regulations and DGUV publications clearly stipulate that inspections are mandatory.
Why do charging cables need to be inspected?
Companies are required to ensure the safety and health of their employees. Commercially used charging cables, just like laptop power adapters, are classified as portable electrical equipment. To ensure safety during operation, they must therefore be inspected regularly in accordance with legal requirements.
This obligation is based on key legal standards and the regulations of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV):
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG)
- Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV)
- DGUV Regulation 3: Electrical Installations and Equipment
- DGUV Regulation 70: Vehicles
At the same time, charging cables pose a significant safety hazard. AC charging cables (Mode 2 / Mode 3) can be damaged by mechanical stress, weather conditions, high currents, or improper handling. Such defects often go unnoticed in everyday use but can lead to electrical accidents, fires, and significant personal injury and property damage.
Who is authorized to inspect charging cables?
As a general rule, inspections in accordance with Technical Rule for Operational Safety 1203 (TRBS 1203) may only be performed by persons qualified to conduct such inspections.
When it comes to inspecting electrical equipment, this task is typically performed by licensed electricians who, thanks to their training and experience, are qualified to carry out the measurements professionally and interpret the resulting readings reliably.
As early as April 2023, the German Motor Trade Association (ZDK) and the relevant departments of BG ETEM and BGHM agreed on an important change: Specialists for high-voltage systems in accordance with DGUV Information 209-093 Level 2S may, under certain conditions, perform the periodic inspections of Mode 2 and Mode 3 charging cables under certain conditions.
The following requirements apply:
- The additional certification has been coordinated with the vehicle manufacturers, and successful completion was confirmed by a written and practical exam
- The charging cables are included with the vehicle or are expressly intended by the manufacturer for this purpose
- Specific testing equipment is used for the test
- The inspection is conducted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for the vehicle or charging cable
Challenges in Practice
The implementation of the mandatory audit requirement is currently still facing various obstacles:
- Lack of Awareness of Operators' Obligations
Many companies are still not sufficiently aware that charging cables are classified as work equipment subject to inspection under the Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV). - Lack of Awareness in the Service Sector
In workshops, there is often confusion regarding the fact that electrical testing of Mode 2 and Mode 3 charging cables is also a component of the UVV inspection required by DGUV Regulation 70 for electric fleet vehicles. - Lack of expertise in specific testing procedures
There is often a shortage of personnel with the necessary additional qualifications to conduct the testing in a legally valid manner. - Inadequate testing equipment
: Compliance testing requires specific measuring instruments, which are not yet standard equipment in every workshop. - Lack of manufacturer-specific operating instructions
To ensure legally compliant documentation, binding operating or procedure instructions from the respective vehicle or charging cable manufacturers are required, but these are not yet widely available.
What does this mean for businesses and repair shops?
For Businesses
Compliance with inspection deadlines is the surest way to ensure your business operates in full compliance with the law. By having inspections performed properly, you can:
- Ensuring legal certainty: You fully comply with the legal requirements of the BetrSichV and the DGUV.
- Minimize liability risks: In the event of an accident, you can demonstrate that your equipment has been properly maintained, thereby protecting yourself from extensive liability claims.
- Ensuring employee safety: They prevent accidents and fires before they occur, thereby promoting a safe work environment.
- Complying with documentation requirements: A legally compliant audit always involves complete documentation, which serves as evidence during tax audits or in insurance matters.
For workshops
The new regulations give repair shops the opportunity to position themselves as expert partners in e-mobility:
- Build up your staff’s testing expertise: Take advantage of the joint agreement between the ZDK and the professional associations to provide targeted training for your staff.
- Launch a new service: Expand your portfolio to include testing of Mode 2 and Mode 3 charging cables, and build long-term customer loyalty through this essential service.
- Ensure compliance with legal requirements: Help your customers meet the requirements of DGUV Regulations 3 and 70 in a legally compliant manner, thereby solidifying your reputation as an expert provider.
Conclusion
Regular inspection of charging cables for commercial electric vehicles is not an option, but a legal requirement. Proper implementation requires specific electrical measurement procedures, such as those used in protective conductor and RCD testing.
The combination of high-voltage technology, occupational safety regulations, and DGUV guidelines makes this a challenging topic—but one that can be managed with the right qualifications.
It is important to clearly define the scope of authority: This additional qualification authorizes automotive high-voltage specialists exclusively to inspect Mode 2 and Mode 3 charging cables. It expressly does not include the authority to perform other electrical inspections on other equipment, systems, or components.
Gain the specific expertise you need and train your team to perform standard-compliant inspections of charging cables—here you’ll find all the information about our training course on testing charging cables for electric vehicles.
Sources
German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV):
FAQ from the " ElectromobilityFramework ElectromobilityWorking Group – Testing of charging cables for electric vehicles, as of December 2023.
Link to the document | accessed on March 18, 2026
DGUV Information 209-093:
Qualification for Work on Vehicles with High-Voltage Systems, Edition 05/2021.
Link to the document | accessed on March 18, 2026
TRBS 1203:
Persons Qualified to Perform Inspections, Edition: March 2019
Link to the document | accessed on March 18, 2026
German Motor Trade Association (ZDK):
Inspection of mobile charging cables (Mode 2 and Mode 3), Information Letter dated December 3, 2021 (Ref. TE2023-043).
Link to the document | accessed on March 18, 2026