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Electric scooters sold or used in the European Union must meet strict regulations and safety standards. There are also requirements concerning substances, labelling, and documentation.
In this guide, we provide a closer examination of requirements under various EU regulations and directives applicable to electric scooters, batteries, and chargers.
Note: We do not list requirements that apply to products in general or packaging. Additionally, we do not cover specific EU national requirements that may apply to electric scooters.
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Which EU regulations and directives apply to electric scooters?
Below follows a list of selected compliance requirements for electric scooters in the EU. Note that additional requirements can apply. Further, the listed requirements are relevant to the following items:
- Electric scooters
- Batteries
- Chargers
Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | This regulation covers machinery, partly completed machinery, safety components, and other related products listed in the regulation. It repeals the Machinery Directive on the 20th of January, 2027.
Electric scooters generally fit the definition of machinery as they are an assembly of moving parts driven by a motor. However, the regulation does not apply to vehicles that are covered by Regulation (EU) 168/2013. |
| General requirements | 1. Comply with the relevant safety requirements
2. Follow the applicable harmonised standards 3. Apply the relevant conformity assessment procedures |
| Documentation | 1. Declaration of conformity
2. Declaration of incorporation (for partly completed machinery) 3. Technical documentation 4. Instructions for use 5. Safety information |
| Labeling requirements | 1. CE marking
2. Traceability information |
Regulation (EU) 168/2013 on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | 1. This Regulation sets administrative and technical requirements regarding two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles (‘L-category vehicles’) that are intended to travel on public roads and to systems, components and separate technical units, and parts and equipment for such vehicles.
2. However, this regulation does not apply to electric scooters whose maximum design speed does not exceed 6 km/h, or that have other characteristics listed in Article 2(2). |
| General requirements | 1. Comply with type-approval requirements
2. Comply with functional safety requirements 3. Environmental performance requirements |
| Documentation | 1. Certificate of conformity |
| Labeling requirements | 1. Traceability information
2. Statutory plate with the appropriate marking 3. Type-approval mark |
Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | 1. This directive sets requirements for electronic and electrical equipment. Under the directive, covered products should be designed to be electromagnetically compatible, ensuring they do not interfere with other devices.
2. It covers electric scooters as they incorporate electronic parts. |
| General requirements | 1. Comply with essential requirements
2. Follow the relevant harmonised standards 3. Apply the relevant conformity assessment procedure |
| Documentation | 1. Declaration of conformity
2. Technical documentation 3. Documentation for fixed installations 4. Instructions |
| Labeling requirements | 1. CE marking
2. Traceability information 3. Information on restriction of use |
RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | 1. This directive sets substance restrictions for electronic and electrical equipment.
2. It covers electric scooters because such products would contain electronic and electrical parts. |
| General requirements | 1. Comply with substance restrictions
2. Follow the relevant harmonised standards 3. Apply the conformity assessment procedure |
| Documentation | 1. Declaration of conformity
2. Technical documentation |
| Labeling requirements | 1. CE marking
2. Traceability information |
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 2012/19/EU
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | This directive sets requirements for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to prevent the unnecessary creation of waste EEE, and to promote the reusing, recycling, and recovering of such waste.
It covers electric scooters as they contain electrical and electronic parts. |
| General requirements | 1. Registration requirements with relevant member states
2. Finance cost of collection, treatment, recovery, and disposal of waste EEE individually or by joining a collective scheme |
| Documentation | 1. Comply with information obligations required by member states
2. Comply with reporting requirements. |
| Labeling requirements | Apply the WEEE symbol |
Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | 1. This directive sets requirements for radio equipment.
2. This directive covers electric scooters that have parts that function like radio equipment. For example, they can connect to other devices via Bluetooth or connect to the internet via WiFi. |
| General requirements | 1. Comply with essential requirements
2. Follow the relevant harmonised standards 3. Apply the applicable conformity assessment procedures |
| Documentation | 1. Declaration of conformity
2. Technical documentation 3. Instructions and safety information |
| Labeling requirements | 1. CE marking
2. Traceability information 3. Restrictions on putting into service 4. Requirements for authorisation of use |
Cyber Resilience Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/2847)
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | This regulation sets rules to ensure the cybersecurity of products with digital elements. It covers electric scooters that can connect to other devices or a network (i..e, those that can be unlocked or operated via an app). |
| General requirements | 1. Comply with the essential cybersecurity requirements
2. Follow the relevant harmonised standards 3. Apply the applicable conformity assessment procedures 4. Conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment |
| Documentation | 1. Declaration of conformity
2. Technical documentation 3. Instructions |
| Labeling requirements | 1. CE marking
2. Traceability information 3. End date of support period |
Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | This directive contains requirements for toys.
It applies to electric scooters that are appropriate for children aged 14 and below, and that are not to be driven on public roads, pathways, or pavements. |
| General requirements | 1. Comply with essential safety requirements
2. Follow the relevant harmonised standards 3. Apply the applicable conformity assessment procedures |
| Documentation | 1. Declaration of conformity
2. Technical documentation 3. Instructions and safety information 4. Warnings |
| Labeling requirements | 1. CE marking
2. Traceability information |
Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | This regulation sets requirements for any type of battery, including batteries incorporated in products.
This regulation applies to the batteries used in electric scooters. |
| General requirements | 1. Comply with sustainability and safety requirements
2. Follow the relevant harmonised standards 3. Substance restrictions 4. Digital battery passport 5. Extended producer responsibility requirements |
| Documentation | 1. Declaration of conformity
2. Technical documentation 3. Instructions and safety information 4. Safety instructions to handle waste batteries |
| Labeling requirements | 1. CE marking
2. Traceability information |
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (EU) 2024/1781
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | 1. This regulation contains a framework that ensures that certain products meet ecodesign requirements.
2. It repeals the Ecodesign Directive, but it mentions that parts of the directive continue to apply to certain energy-related products like lighting products and external power supplies incorporated into electric scooters. |
| General requirements | 1. Comply with the requirements contained in delegated acts
2. Follow the relevant harmonised standards 3. Apply the relevant conformity assessment 4. Digital product passport |
| Documentation | 1. Declaration of conformity
2. Technical documentation 3. Safety information and the instructions |
| Labeling requirements | 1. CE marking
2. Traceability information |
Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | 1. This directive covers energy-related products. Under the directive, implementing regulations are created containing ecodesign requirements for specific products.
2. This directive covers scooters that come with lighting products or with external power supplies. |
| General requirements | 1. Comply with the implementing regulation and its ecodesign requirements
2. Follow the relevant harmonised standards 3. Apply the applicable conformity assessment procedures |
| Documentation | 1. Declaration of conformity
2. Technical documentation |
| Labeling requirements | 1. CE marking
2. Traceability information 3. Additional labelling information from applicable implementing regulations |
Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU
| Overview | Information |
| Relevancy | 1. This directive sets safety requirements for products operating with a voltage range of between 50 and 1,000 V for alternating current and between 75 and 1,500 V for direct current.
2. It covers chargers of electric scooters and electric scooters that operate within the above voltage ranges. |
| General requirements | 1. Comply with the safety objectives
2. Follow the relevant harmonised standards 3. Apply the relevant conformity assessment procedures |
| Documentation | 1. Declaration of conformity
2. Technical documentation 3. Instructions and safety information |
| Labeling requirements | 1. CE marking
2. Traceability information |
Note: We only list requirements directly related to electric scooters. We do not list requirements that apply to products in general or packaging.
EU electric scooter standards
Product standards set safety requirements and technical specifications that must be met to demonstrate compliance with applicable EU regulations and directives. Below follows an overview of standards we identified that may be relevant for electric scooters, batteries, and chargers.
EN IEC 63281-3-1
We found the following standard (non-harmonised) through the CENELEC site that is specific to electric scooters:
EN IEC 63281-3-1 – E-Transporters – Part 3-1: Performance test method for total run time of e-scooters with consideration to environmental conditions of actual use
EN 12184
We found the following standard (non-harmonised) through the CENELEC site that is specific to electronic scooters and their chargers:
EN 12184 – Electrically powered wheelchairs, scooters and their chargers – Requirements and test methods
EN IEC 62115
Finally, we found the following standard, which is harmonised under the Toy Safety Directive:
EN IEC 62115 – Electric toys – Safety
We could not confirm whether the standard covers electric scooters through the CENELEC site. However, we found a lab testing company that mentions the standard in the context of lab testing services for electric scooters.
Testing requirements
As mentioned, electric scooters imported or manufactured for use in the EU are subject to various regulations and directives. Demonstrating compliance with these regulations and directives requires compliance with applicable safety standards and requirements.
Verifying compliance, in turn, requires that an electric scooter (including its battery and chargers) undergo a testing procedure. As a result, you will obtain a test report that must be included in the technical documentation.
Here are some aspects that can be part of the testing process for electric scooters:
- Mechanical and structural testing
- Break testing
- EMC testing
- RoHS component testing
- Battery safety testing
- Charger electric safety testing
- Bluetooth testing
FAQ
Do electric scooters need to be CE marked in the EU?
Yes, electric scooters must be CE marked because CE marking directives and regulations apply to the electronic and electrical parts of the scooter. For instance, EU legislation like the RoHS Directive and the EMC Directive applies to most electric scooters because of their parts (e.g., the electric motor).
Other CE marking regulations may also apply, such as the Machinery Regulation.
What other labelling requirements apply to electric scooters?
Regulations and directives that apply to electric scooters generally require that information about the manufacturer, the importer (if applicable) and the product must be provided for traceability purposes.
Here are examples of traceability information:
- Product type, batch, model, or serial number
- Manufacturer’s name and address
- Importer’s name and address (if applicable)
- Authorised representative’s contact details (if any(
Other labelling requirements may include the provision of an instruction label and warnings, depending on the requirements of the applicable legislation. Further, the Machinery Regulation also sets labelling requirements.
Which companies provide safety testing for electric scooters in the EU?
Here are some EU companies that we found that provide safety testing for electric scooters:
- Dekra
- Intertek
- TÜV SÜD
- ACT Lab
