Colombia RETIE New and Old Resolution Alignment: EV Charger Compliance Certification Guide | Future Digital Energy Supports Local Cooperation
Recently, RETIE 2024 (Resolution No. 40117) and its subsequent amendment (Resolution No. 40304, effective July 2025), issued by Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, have gradually replaced and transitioned from the old RETIE 2013 (Resolution No. 90708), further standardizing the compliance requirements for electrical equipment. Among them, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, as a newly added mandatory certification category, have become a core focus for Chinese EV charger enterprises entering the Colombian market. To help local Colombian partners and industry customers avoid certification risks and smoothly complete the alignment between new and old resolutions, Future Digital Energy (hereinafter referred to as FDE) has compiled a compliance certification guide based on the core differences between the new and old RETIE resolutions. At the same time, we clarify that our EV charger products fully comply with the latest technical standards and are willing to fully cooperate with local enterprises to complete compliance certification, jointly promoting the high-quality development of Colombia’s new energy charging infrastructure.
I. Core Differences Between New and Old RETIE Resolutions: Accurately Avoid Transition Risks
As Colombia’s mandatory technical regulation for electrical installations, the core of this iteration between new and old RETIE resolutions focuses on three major dimensions: certification scope, process, and effective time, which directly affect the compliance of EV charger import, sales, and installation. The following highlights the core differences and key points to avoid pitfalls, helping partners accurately grasp compliance nodes:
1. Certification Scope: EV Chargers Officially Included in Mandatory Control; Supplementary Certification Required for Old Version Non-Covered Products
The old RETIE 2013 did not include EV chargers (AC/DC) in the scope of mandatory certification, only setting basic requirements for general electrical equipment. In contrast, RETIE 2024 (Resolution No. 40117) explicitly includes new energy-related products such as EV chargers and energy storage-charging integrated systems in the mandatory certification scope. All EV chargers entering the Colombian market must pass compliance certification to complete customs clearance and market launch.
[Pitfall Reminder]: At present, some enterprises still mistakenly believe that compliance with the old version is sufficient for market launch. It should be noted that the transition period for new and old certificates is before December 31, 2025, during which old RETIE 2013 certificates can still be used temporarily. Starting from January 1, 2026, RETIE 2024 (including Amendment No. 40304) will be fully enforced, and all old certificates will become invalid. EV chargers that have not completed the new version of certification will not be able to pass customs clearance and may even face market supervision penalties.
2. Certification System: Abolition of Equivalence of Overseas Certificates; Only Certifications from ONAC-Authorized Bodies Are Recognized
The old RETIE 2013 allowed the equivalence of some overseas compliance certificates, without the need for separate re-certification in Colombia. RETIE 2024 and Amendment No. 40304 clearly stipulate the abolition of the recognition of overseas certificate equivalence. All EV charger products must be reviewed by certification bodies authorized by Colombia’s National Accreditation Body (ONAC) (such as UL Solutions, ICONTEC, etc.) to obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) complying with RETIE 2024 standards before they can enter the market legally.
[Pitfall Reminder]: Do not be misled by the claim that "overseas certificates can be directly used universally". It is necessary to connect with ONAC-authorized certification bodies in advance and complete product testing and certification in accordance with RETIE 2024 requirements to avoid customs clearance delays and project stagnation due to non-compliant certificates.
3. Effective Time: Transition Period Extended; Seize the Golden Window for Certification
RETIE 2024 was originally scheduled to be fully enforced on July 2, 2025. Amendment No. 40304 postponed the mandatory effective date to January 1, 2026, and extended the validity period of old RETIE 2013 certificates to December 31, 2025, reserving more sufficient transition time for enterprises to complete certification.
[Pitfall Reminder]: During the transition period, it is recommended to simultaneously promote the replacement of old certificates and the application for new version certification, avoiding problems such as certification queuing and testing delays near the deadline. At the same time, it should be noted that the new version of certification must meet the additional detailed requirements for safety, labeling, and grid connection in RETIE 2024. Relevant technical documents should be prepared in advance to improve certification efficiency.
II. FDE EV Chargers: Fully Compliant with RETIE 2024 Standards, Ensuring Compliance Without Worries
As a professional manufacturer of EV charging solutions, Future Digital Energy has always paid attention to the regulatory dynamics of the Colombian market and laid out the RETIE 2024 compliance certification work in advance. At present, our full range of EV charger products (including AC chargers, DC chargers, and energy storage-charging integrated systems) are fully compliant with the technical requirements of RETIE 2024 and Amendment No. 40304, with the following core advantages:
• Product Design Adaptation: Strictly comply with RETIE 2024 technical specifications, fit Colombian power grid parameters (110V/220V, 60Hz) and local diverse climatic conditions, with high dust resistance and temperature change resistance, and a protection level of not less than IP54, which can stably adapt to various local application scenarios such as outdoor, commercial, and residential; at the same time, it meets the mandatory requirements of the regulation for electrical clearance and creepage distance, eliminating the risk of insulation failure and adapting to the power grid fluctuation environment in different regions of Colombia.
• Compliance Detail Compliance: Products are affixed with the required RETIE mark (size ≥5mm), equipped with Spanish technical nameplates and operation and maintenance manuals. The nameplate must clearly indicate core parameters such as rated power, voltage, current, protection level, and certification number; the operation and maintenance manual must include installation specifications, safe operation procedures, and troubleshooting guidelines, meeting the mandatory requirements of the new version of the regulation for labeling and documentation; at the same time, it supports the OCPI protocol to achieve seamless interconnection with the local charging network, in line with the technical requirements of RETIE 2024 for intelligent charging facilities.
• Controllable Certification Process: We have established cooperation with ONAC-authorized certification bodies such as UL Solutions and ICONTEC, which can quickly complete conformity testing and certificate processing, helping partners shorten the compliance cycle and reduce certification costs; the testing items fully cover the mandatory requirements of RETIE 2024, including electrical safety testing (overcurrent, short circuit, leakage protection), electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, environmental adaptability testing (high and low temperature, humidity, salt spray), insulation performance testing, and mechanical strength testing, ensuring that products fully meet the regulatory standards in all dimensions. Among them, the electrical safety testing must focus on meeting the clear requirements of RETIE for withstand voltage and insulation resistance (such as insulation resistance ≥1MΩ, withstand voltage testing must reach 2.5kV/1min without breakdown).
• Core Technical Compliance: Strictly follow the special technical requirements of RETIE 2024 for EV chargers. Both AC and DC chargers are equipped with a complete safety protection system, including over-temperature protection, over-voltage protection, residual current protection, short-circuit protection, and charging interlock mechanism, eliminating potential safety hazards during charging and complying with the strict requirements of the regulation for electrical safety; cables adopt flame-retardant and corrosion-resistant copper core materials, and the use of ordinary aluminum core conductors is prohibited (mandatory requirement of RETIE 2024, except for special certification). The wire diameter specification meets the current-carrying capacity requirements, and the wiring method is standardized to ensure long-term stable operation; the energy storage-charging integrated system must have peak-valley regulation and grid connection protection functions, adapt to the needs of Colombian power grid dispatching, comply with the detailed requirements for new energy grid connection in Amendment No. 40304, and pass the mandatory grid connection compatibility test of RETIE.
• Installation and Operation & Maintenance Technical Adaptation: Product design follows the RETIE 2024 installation specifications. The foundation strength of floor-mounted EV chargers and the installation spacing of wall-mounted EV chargers both meet the regulatory requirements, with sufficient operation and maintenance space reserved. Cable threading and grounding treatment are standardized, and the grounding resistance is not greater than 4Ω (mandatory grounding requirement of RETIE); it supports remote monitoring and fault diagnosis functions, which can real-time feedback the equipment operation status, facilitating maintenance personnel to quickly troubleshoot problems. At the same time, it meets the technical requirements of the regulation for EV charger operation and maintenance management, reducing the later operational compliance risks, and needs to cooperate with the completion of mandatory installation compliance testing and acceptance by RETIE.
III. Fully Cooperate with Local Enterprises to Build a Compliant Cooperation Ecosystem
Future Digital Energy deeply understands that compliance is the core prerequisite for cooperation in the Colombian EV charger market. In response to the difficulties that local enterprises may encounter in the alignment of new and old RETIE resolutions and the certification process, we will provide comprehensive support to help partners efficiently avoid pitfalls and carry out compliant layout:
1. Free Compliance Consultation: Provide Colombian local enterprises and partners with interpretation of RETIE 2024 (including Amendment No. 40304) and guidance on the certification process, assist in sorting out the list of certification materials, and avoid certification misunderstandings;
2. Customized Certification Support: According to the product needs and project scenarios of partners, cooperate with the completion of certification-related work such as sample testing and technical document submission, follow up the certification progress throughout the process, and ensure the smooth acquisition of certificates;
3. Localized Service Guarantee: Provide Spanish technical support and on-site commissioning services, assist partners in completing the compliance adaptation of product installation and operation and maintenance, and ensure that products meet the installation and operation and maintenance requirements of RETIE 2024;
4. Long-term Compliance Synchronization: Continuously pay attention to the latest updates of RETIE regulations by Colombia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy, synchronize compliance requirements in a timely manner, assist partners in completing certificate updates and product upgrades, and ensure long-term cooperation compliance.
As a core market for new energy transformation in Latin America, Colombia has great potential for EV charging infrastructure construction, and compliance is the key to seizing market opportunities. With high-quality products complying with RETIE 2024 standards as the foundation and comprehensive compliance support as the guarantee, Future Digital Energy will work hand in hand with Colombian local enterprises to avoid certification risks, deepen cooperation and achieve win-win results, and jointly promote the sustainable development of local electric transportation and new energy industries.
If you have any questions about EV charger compliance certification in Colombia, or want to learn about the compliance details and cooperation models of our products, please feel free to contact us!