What does OCPP compliant mean?

An OCPP-compliant EV charger or charging management system is designed to follow a particular version of the Open Charge Point Protocol. That should allow it to exchange standard OCPP messages with equipment from other suppliers.

 

The wording needs a closer look, however. Three terms are often treated as if they mean the same thing:

  • OCPP compatible usually means a product can connect to an OCPP system.
  • OCPP compliant means its implementation is intended to follow the specification.
  • OCPP certified means an approved independent laboratory has tested the implementation under the Open Charge Alliance certification programme.

A product can therefore claim compatibility or compliance without holding an OCPP certificate.

What is OCPP certification?

OCPP certification tests a charging station or management system against defined requirements for a specific protocol version. The OCPP certification programme is run by the Open Charge Alliance with approved independent test laboratories.

 

Certification is currently available for OCPP 1.6 and OCPP 2.0.1. It applies to a named product and software version, not automatically to every charger or platform sold by the same company.

What does an OCPP certificate cover?

Every certificate has a scope. Passing the core tests does not prove that every optional OCPP function has also been tested.

 

For OCPP 1.6, certification can cover core functionality, smart charging and advanced security. The exact requirements differ between charging stations and management systems.

 

For OCPP 2.0.1, the core profile is mandatory. Advanced security, smart charging and ISO 15118 support are additional certification profiles. A buyer should therefore check the profiles shown on the certificate rather than stopping at the word “certified”.

How can you verify an OCPP certificate?

The Open Charge Alliance maintains a public register of certified products. Check:

  • the certificate number;
  • the manufacturer and exact product designation;
  • whether it covers a charging station or management system;
  • the OCPP version and certification profiles;
  • the software version listed on the certificate; and
  • whether the certificate remains valid and has not been withdrawn.

If the product or software release in a proposal does not match the register, ask the supplier to explain the relationship.

Does certification guarantee that an integration will work?

No. Certification provides stronger evidence of protocol conformance, but a live charging network still combines two implementations, configuration, credentials, connectivity and operating rules.

 

Before deployment, test the exact charger, firmware and CPMS combination. Include the functions that matter in practice: authorisation, transaction records, remote commands, firmware updates, smart-charging profiles and behaviour when the internet connection drops.

What should EV charging buyers ask?

Start with the protocol version, certificate number and certified profiles. Then ask which CPMS platforms and firmware versions have been tested, whether the charger connects directly to the chosen backend, who controls its OCPP credentials and what happens during a future migration.

 

amina chargers use direct, local OCPP connections with compatible management platforms. The same procurement discipline still applies: check the exact charger generation, firmware, CPMS integration and functions required for the project.