What is CE Certification?
CE marking (Conformite Europeenne) is mandatory for e-bikes sold in the European Union. It indicates that a product complies with all relevant EU health, safety, and environmental protection directives. For e-bikes, the key standard is EN 15194.
EN 15194: The Core Standard
EN 15194 is the European standard for "Electrically Power Assisted Cycles" (EPAC). The latest version, EN 15194:2023, applies to e-bikes that meet all of the following criteria:
● Maximum continuous rated motor power: 250W
● Motor assistance cuts off at: 25 km/h
● Motor only provides assistance when the rider is pedaling (pedal-assist / pedelec)
● Two-wheeled vehicles (tricycles have separate requirements)
E-bikes exceeding these limits are classified as mopeds and require different certification (L1e-A or L1e-B type approval).
Key Test Requirements
1. Mechanical Safety Tests
● Frame fatigue test — 100,000 cycles of horizontal and vertical loading
● Fork test — Front fork impact and fatigue resistance
● Wheel test — Impact and fatigue testing per EN 10910
● Brake test — Stopping distance measured at various speeds
2. Electrical Safety Tests
● Battery safety — EN 50604-1 or UN 38.3 for lithium-ion batteries
● Charger safety — EN 60335-1 and EN 60335-2-29
● Motor safety — Insulation resistance, temperature rise, and overcurrent protection
● Wiring and connectors — IP rating, vibration resistance
3. Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)
EMC testing ensures the e-bike does not emit electromagnetic interference that could affect other devices, and is not affected by external interference. Tests include:
● Radiated emissions (EN 55014-1)
● Radiated immunity (EN 55014-2)
● Electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity
● Conducted emissions on AC power lines
4. Performance Requirements
● Maximum speed verification (must cut off at 25 km/h)
● Motor power measurement (must not exceed 250W continuous)
● Startup behavior (no acceleration without pedaling)
● Thermal protection (motor must not overheat during sustained climbing)
Certification Process: Step by Step
● Choose a Notified Body — TUV, SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas are the most common
● Submit technical documentation — Including design drawings, BOM, circuit diagrams, user manual
● Send samples for testing — Typically 2-3 complete bikes plus battery samples
● Lab testing — 4-8 weeks depending on the Notified Body's schedule
● Factory audit — For some certifications, a production site audit is required
● Receive certificate — Type Examination Certificate or EU-Type Examination
● Apply CE marking — Affix CE logo + Notified Body number on the product
● Draw up Declaration of Conformity — Legal document stating compliance
Costs and Timelines
| Item | Cost (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|
| EN 15194 testing | 8,000 - 15,000 | 4-6 weeks |
| EMC testing | 3,000 - 6,000 | 2-3 weeks |
| Battery testing (UN 38.3) | 2,000 - 5,000 | 2-4 weeks |
| Notified Body fee | 2,000 - 4,000 | 1-2 weeks |
| Total | 15,000 - 30,000 | 6-10 weeks |
Note: Each model variant (different motor, battery, or frame size) requires separate certification unless covered by a family certification.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
● Using non-certified batteries — The battery is the most scrutinized component. Always use cells from reputable manufacturers (Samsung, LG, Panasonic) with proper BMS.
● Incomplete technical files — Missing documentation is the #1 cause of certification delays. Prepare complete files before submitting.
● Modifying certified products — Any change to the motor, controller, or battery invalidates the certificate. Recertification is needed.
● Ignoring national requirements — Some EU countries have additional national rules (e.g., Germany's StVZO requires lights, bell, reflectors).
● Fake certificates — Always verify certificates directly with the Notified Body. Counterfeit certificates are unfortunately common.
How CHIJIE Simplifies Certification
All CHIJIE export models for the EU market come with valid EN 15194 certificates from TUV or SGS. We maintain an in-house testing laboratory that pre-tests every model before sending it to the Notified Body, reducing the risk of failure and accelerating the timeline.
For OEM clients, we can:
● Provide existing certificates for our standard models
● Assist with new certifications for custom designs
● Share technical documentation and test reports
● Handle the entire certification process as part of the OEM package
Contact us to request certificate copies or discuss certification for your custom e-bike project.