In a landmark decision announced on October 20, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) formally recognized the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) 2.0.1 as an international standard—IEC 63584. This move marks a critical inflection point for the electric vehicle (EV) sector by embedding a widely adopted communication protocol into the architecture of global regulation. The decision has major implications for the interoperability, safety, and scalability of EV charging systems worldwide.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a globally respected standards organization that develops and publishes international technical standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies. Since its founding in 1906, the IEC has had a central role in ensuring that equipment and systems across different countries and industries can interoperate safely and reliably. Over more than a century, IEC standards have underpinned progress in energy systems, industrial automation, telecommunications, lighting, and many more sectors.
The IEC’s work is grounded in collaboration among national committees and industry stakeholders. Through technical committees and working groups, experts from companies, governments, and academia come together to write, review, and revise standards. These documents then become reference points for regulators, manufacturers, and service providers around the world.
In the realm of electric vehicle infrastructure, IEC standards are especially important. The global push to decarbonize transport, increase renewable energy use, and modernize the grid has made EVs central to national climate strategies. But for EVs to truly flourish, their charging systems must follow common rules—rules that guarantee safety, interoperability, and predictable performance. That is where IEC’s influence is decisive.
By incorporating OCPP into its standards suite, the IEC is signaling that it sees EV charging not as a niche application but as a domain requiring rigorous global coordination. The move helps ensure that EV charging infrastructure doesn’t become fragmented by competing protocols or regional lock-in. It also accelerates innovation by giving developers a clear foundation on which to build.
IEC 63584 is the newly ratified standard that defines the communication interface between charging stations (charge points) and a Charging Station Management System (CSMS). In effect, it codifies what was already emerging in the industry: the use of OCPP 2.0.1 as the lingua franca for EV charger-to-backend communications.
At its heart, IEC 63584 delineates how messages are exchanged, what commands and responses are allowed, what data structures must be respected, and how error conditions should be handled. It does so using JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) over WebSockets, a lightweight, flexible, and widely supported stack for real-time messaging.
To accompany the protocol definition, the standard includes an implementation guide—designated Part 4 – JSON over WebSockets Implementation Guide—which gives developers explicit instructions and clarifications about how to implement the standard correctly. This helps reduce ambiguity and variation, which in turn raises consistency across devices and platforms.
By elevating OCPP to IEC 63584, the IEC affirms the protocol’s significance. It also provides the formal structure needed to guide its evolution, extension, and certification. Where previously OCPP was a de facto standard backed by industry adoption and the Open Charge Alliance (OCA), now it has the force of global standardization behind it.
The change addresses a long-standing need: to unify around one widely accepted protocol rather than leaving the industry fragmented. With IEC’s stamp, OCPP will be further refined and governed under a broader international framework. The expectation is that committees within the IEC and national bodies will contribute to its future development—bringing diverse perspectives and use cases into the fold.
To understand the significance of IEC 63584, one must understand OCPP itself and how it underpins modern EV charging systems.
OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) is an open, vendor-neutral standard that facilitates communication between EV chargers (charge points) and back-end systems (CSMS). It enables a wide range of functionalities, including:
Session management (start, stop, status notifications)
Remote control and diagnostics (firmware updates, error reporting, resets)
Metering and billing (transactions, energy data)
Smart charging features (load balancing, scheduled charging, power limits)
Grid integration features (demand response, vehicle-to-grid, time-of-use tariffs)
Because OCPP is open and extensible, it allows charger manufacturers, network operators, utilities, and software developers to build interoperable systems without locking themselves into proprietary protocols. That openness has made it one of the most widely used standards in EV charging networks worldwide.
Beyond basic charging functionality, OCPP also supports advanced capabilities like vehicle-to-grid (V2G), where EVs can return energy to the grid during peak demand periods. This requires coordination between vehicles, chargers, and grid systems—something OCPP is well positioned to support. In analogous energy sectors, protocols like IEEE 2030.5 facilitate energy and information exchange between utilities, grid edge devices, and customers, showing how cross-domain standards can help coordinate energy systems. OCPP sits in this broader ecosystem as the charging-specific communication standard.
Thanks to these capabilities, OCPP has already been adopted by many charging operators, enabling them to manage mixed fleets of chargers from different brands—without wholesale replacements or gateways.
IEC 63584 and OCPP are not rivals—they are complementary. Indeed, the new standard is built on OCPP 2.0.1, but with the formal rigor, governance, and alignment that an international body like IEC brings.
By integrating OCPP into the IEC’s standards hierarchy, IEC 63584 ensures that all conformant systems follow the same rules and interpretations. This reduces fragmentation, ensures consistency, and allows third parties (e.g. test laboratories, certification bodies) to validate compliance against a clear baseline. It also helps regulators reference a global standard rather than a patchwork of local norms.
The October 20 announcement is more than symbolic. It institutionalizes the use of OCPP across national standardization committees and gives participating countries a formal vehicle for contributing to its evolution. Because IEC works via national committees, each nation’s standards body can now bring local concerns—grid characteristics, regulatory requirements, security policies, and language localization—into the conversation around OCPP’s next generations.
In essence, OCPP provides the practical protocol already in wide use, and IEC 63584 provides the governance, oversight, and legitimacy to scale it globally.
The Open Charge Alliance (OCA), the industry group behind OCPP, expressed gratitude in its announcement, crediting national committees and experts for their contributions and support leading to this adoption.
One of the most immediate benefits is that IEC 63584 ensures chargers from different manufacturers and operators can interoperate reliably. For EV users, this means fewer surprises: a user should be able to insert their charging card or app at a station operated by a different provider and have the session handled correctly. Without a common standard, proprietary or incompatible protocols could lead to stranded vehicles or locked ecosystems.
From a technical standpoint, IEC 63584 means that upgrades, expansions, or integrations will require less translation or middleware—systems can natively “speak” the same language. That reduces cost, simplifies deployments, and makes the user experience more reliable.
The worldwide rollout of EVs is happening fast—and charging infrastructure must keep pace. Clear, authoritative standards like IEC 63584 lower friction for network expansion. When deployers know exactly how a charger should communicate with management systems, they can scale deployments more confidently and efficiently.
Moreover, the standard supports modern grid-aware functions such as load balancing, demand response, and scheduling. This allows operators to optimize energy use across many chargers, reducing grid stress and enabling more chargers to share limited capacity.
Standardization also lowers risks in investment. Infrastructure funding agencies and regulators are more comfortable backing chargers that conform to recognized standards. In some jurisdictions, compliance with international standards could become a licensing or subsidy requirement. IEC 63584 helps future proof installations by aligning them with globally accepted norms.
EV charging does not exist in isolation—it is intrinsically tied to power systems, renewable integration, and grid stability. As charging loads rise, the need for coordinated control becomes more pressing. Standards like IEC 63584 enable communication of power constraints, charge scheduling, and even energy export (in V2G scenarios).
By providing a coherent communication structure, the standard eases integration with higher-level energy management systems, utilities, and grid operators. In turn, EV charging can become an active participant in demand-side response or energy balancing, rather than a disruptive load.
A well-defined international standard gives hardware and software developers a stable foundation. They do not need to reinvent or re-test numerous proprietary interfaces. Instead, they can focus on differentiating features—user experience, analytics, security, or new functionalities—while relying on a dependable core protocol.
Further, because IEC’s processes include periodic review, feedback, and structured revision cycles, the standard remains alive. Stakeholders can propose updates, enhancements, or extensions. The standard thus evolves in a managed way, accommodating new use cases (e.g. future V2X, wireless charging, enhanced cybersecurity features).
Many regulators and public bodies reference IEC standards when setting safety, technical, or operational rules. With IEC 63584 in place, governments may point explicitly to it when defining what counts as “compliant” charging equipment or network operation. This could simplify certification, permitting, and compliance enforcement.
Test labs and conformity assessment bodies can develop IEC 63584-based suites. Manufacturers can design products to a clearly specified target. That alignment reduces the cost of compliance, accelerates rollouts, and minimizes regional divergence in technical requirements.
While the adoption of IEC 63584 is a milestone, practical and political challenges remain. Implementation, certification, and harmonization will take effort and cooperation.
Existing charging networks may need firmware or software updates to conform fully. Some proprietary systems may resist migration, especially if they have invested heavily in custom architectures. The transition will require support, tools, and incentives to migrate to IEC-compliant OCPP.
Operators and integrators will need to verify conformance and ensure backward compatibility—or at least migration paths. Testing tools, reference implementations, and certification labs will be essential.
Maintaining and evolving the standard is not trivial. As new requirements emerge—such as more advanced cybersecurity, ultra-high power charging, wireless charging, bidirectional energy flows, or new business models—IEC and participating bodies must manage updates thoughtfully to avoid fragmentation.
It will be important that national committees, industry players, utilities, automakers, and software vendors remain actively involved. The OCPP community, now operating under an IEC umbrella, must stay agile and responsive to innovation.
Even with a global standard, local jurisdictions may add region-specific requirements (e.g. grid codes, safety rules, communication licensing). Harmonizing those local needs with IEC 63584’s framework will be a delicate balancing act. National bodies may issue national annexes, but these must remain compatible.
Governments that currently mandate local protocols or impose additional constraints may need to revise regulations. Training and outreach will be required to bring regulators, installers, and operators up to speed with the new international baseline.
For the standard to be meaningful, independent conformity assessment is essential. Laboratories must design test suites, certification bodies must accredit products, and authorities must recognize certificates. Building that infrastructure—especially globally and in emerging markets—will be a key task in the coming months and years.
Many engineers, operators, and planners may not yet be fully familiar with OCPP or its successor under IEC 63584. The transition must include educational materials, developer resources, interoperability showcases, reference implementations, and open-source tooling.
By lowering the barrier to entry, smaller players, startups, or regional operators can also align with the global standard, avoiding lock-in from day one.
The announcement received widespread attention across the EV, utilities, and standards communities. The Open Charge Alliance (OCA), which has been a principal steward of OCPP, expressed gratitude to national standardization bodies and IEC committees for the collaborative process leading to formal adoption.
Many industry stakeholders see the step as overdue—but significant. For years, OCPP has been widely used but sometimes treated as an open de facto standard rather than a formal one. Now, with IEC’s formal backing, its legitimacy and endurance become more solid.
Utilities and grid operators generally welcomed the move. They favor integration with stable, transparent standards which reduce complexity in interactions with EV charging platforms. Car manufacturers, EV fleet operators, and charger manufacturers similarly stand to benefit from reduced fragmentation and a clear upgrade path.
Some analysts caution that adoption will not be instantaneous. Legacy systems, regional variations, and inertia in procurement cycles mean that full market penetration may take years. However, the standard provides a clear trajectory.
With IEC 63584 now in place, the EV charging ecosystem is better positioned for scale, reliability, and innovation. In the near term, we can expect:
New charger hardware built from the start to comply with IEC 63584, reducing integration gaps.
Firmware and software upgrades for existing chargers to migrate or support the standard.
Certification programs and test labs, offering “IEC 63584–compliant” badges to reassure buyers and regulators.
Greater adoption by utilities and grid operators, integrating charger fleets into grid management systems.
Expansion of smart charging and V2G services, enabled by standardized, predictable messaging semantics.
Regulatory alignment, with governments referencing IEC 63584 as a baseline in national rules, tenders, or incentives.
Over the medium to long term, the harmonization of charging protocols fosters a more seamless global EV ecosystem. Automation, mobility services, roaming, and multi-network interoperability become simpler to realize. The standard may evolve to cover new charging modalities—such as wireless or dynamic (on-road) charging—extending its relevance.
Moreover, by embedding communication protocols within the purview of an international standards body, the EV charging industry gains legitimacy. It signals to investors, governments, and infrastructure planners that EV charging is a mature, regulated, scalable domain—not a patchwork of vendor silos.
In a sense, IEC 63584 helps elevate charging infrastructure to the same formal planning status as power systems, telecommunications, or plumbing. It makes charger fleets part of the long-term, resilient infrastructure of the 21st century.
The formal adoption of OCPP 2.0.1 as IEC 63584 is a transformational moment for the EV charging industry. It brings together a mature, open protocol with the governance, legitimacy, and rigor of the IEC’s standards process.
For manufacturers, it offers a stable and accepted target for development. For operators, it simplifies system design, upgrades, and interoperability. For regulators and test bodies, it provides a clear reference for compliance and certification. For EV users, it promises more reliable, consistent charging experiences across networks and geographies.
The road ahead still includes challenges — migration paths, certification infrastructure, regional harmonization, and stakeholder coordination — but the foundation is now stronger. IEC 63584 stands as a critical pillar in the evolving global architecture of sustainable mobility.
