Starting July 20, 2026, the EU's CE compliance requirements for imported photovoltaic cleaning equipment will enter a new phase. According to the information disclosed, EN IEC 63248-2:2026 has begun mandatory implementation, covering categories such as intelligent drive-type equipment, high-pressure water cleaning systems, and dry cleaning systems. Relevant products must complete comprehensive EMC testing and bear the new CE marking. For manufacturers, distributors, and EPC procurement processes serving the European market, this is not merely a matter of updating labels; it is directly related to customs clearance, delivery schedules, and the cost of returned shipments. It has therefore become a key development requiring close attention across the photovoltaic O&M equipment supply chain.

The Scope of Application and Compliance Requirements of the New Standard Have Been Clarified

Confirmed information indicates that, starting July 20, 2026, the EU will formally enforce the EN IEC 63248-2:2026 standard. The standard applies to imported photovoltaic cleaning equipment, covering intelligent drive-type products, high-pressure water cleaning systems, dry cleaning systems, and other types.

In terms of compliance requirements, the relevant equipment must pass comprehensive EMC testing and bear the new CE marking. At the same time, EN IEC 63248-2:2026 has replaced the requirements of the previous EN 61000 series.

In terms of implementation changes, the testing requirements under the new standard are 35% more stringent than the previous requirements, while the certification cycle is extended by an average of 12 to 18 working days. Known risks for products that have not completed compliance include detention at EU customs and the resulting high costs of returned shipments.

The Initial Impact Will Be on the Coordination of Customs Clearance, Procurement, and Delivery

Time Pressure Increases for Export Manufacturing and Direct Trade

From an industry perspective, manufacturing and trading companies supplying the European market directly will be the first to feel the impact. This is because the new regulation has entered the mandatory enforcement stage. Whether a product has completed comprehensive EMC testing and whether it carries the new CE marking will directly affect the customs clearance outcome after shipment. The main effects will be seen in shipment scheduling, certification coordination, and documentation preparation. If deliveries continue to be arranged according to the previous schedule, deviations may occur in order fulfillment timelines.

European Distributors Face a Reassessment of Inventory and Arrival Risks

European distributors need to reassess goods in transit and the pace of subsequent stocking. Available information has already indicated that non-compliant products face the risk of being detained by customs or returned. Therefore, the distribution side is concerned not only with the purchase price, but also with whether products will meet the new standard requirements when they arrive at the port. For channel companies that need to maintain continuous supply, inventory structure, arrival schedules, and supplier compliance confirmation will become more sensitive.

EPC Procurement Will Focus More on Equipment Deliverability Than on a Single Quotation

For EPC purchasers, the main impact will occur during equipment selection and procurement implementation. Since the certification cycle is extended by an average of 12 to 18 working days, procurement decisions based on the original delivery-time assumptions may create uncertainty regarding the arrival of project-supporting equipment. At present, greater attention should be paid to extending procurement evaluation criteria beyond traditional price and function comparisons to include the completion status of EMC testing and the status of the new CE marking.

Supply Chain Services and Fulfillment Support Must Be Adjusted Simultaneously

Participants involved in supply chain services will also be affected. Although the input information does not elaborate on specific service types, based on the known facts, all links related to customs declaration, transportation, and delivery coordination need to conduct advance checks focused on whether the compliance preparations required by the new regulation have been completed. The core impact is not a change in the business model, but the fact that risk identification points in the fulfillment process have moved forward.

Which Practical Issues Require Close Attention Now

First Verify the Applicable Product Categories and Existing Certification Basis

Relevant companies should first confirm whether their products fall within the scope of this mandatory implementation, particularly the explicitly mentioned categories such as intelligent drive-type systems, high-pressure water systems, and dry cleaning systems. They should also verify whether their existing certifications are still based on the previous EN 61000 series, so as to avoid mistakenly equating prior CE experience with compliance with the new requirements.

Recalculate the Certification and Delivery Schedule

Because testing requirements have become 35% more stringent and the certification cycle is extended by an average of 12 to 18 working days, companies need to recalculate production scheduling, booking, shipment, and customer commitment dates. This change is more like an actual delivery-cycle management issue than an isolated task for the certification department, and is particularly important for businesses that supply according to project schedules.

Move Documentation and Marking Checks Forward to Before Shipment

Known risks point to customs detention and the cost of returned shipments. Therefore, at the operational level, companies should move verification of the new CE marking and materials related to comprehensive EMC testing as far forward as possible, preferably to before shipment. Attention should be paid to the coordination between “product testing completed” and “whether documents, markings, and delivery materials are consistent,” in order to avoid mismatches in compliance information at the final stage.

Coordinate Delivery Schedules and Responsibility Boundaries with European Customers

For manufacturers, traders, and suppliers, timely communication with European distributors and EPC purchasers is also important. The new regulation has taken effect, but different customers may not have exactly the same focus when reviewing implementation details. Advance communication regarding delivery times, documentation requirements, arrival risks, and the division of responsibilities can help reduce fulfillment disputes caused by inconsistent expectations.

This Is More Like a Compliance Tightening Signal That Has Already Taken Effect

This information should not be viewed as a policy trend that is still under discussion, but as a change in compliance requirements that has already entered the implementation stage. Its direct implication is that, when photovoltaic cleaning equipment enters the EU market, EMC-related requirements have changed from a reference threshold into one of the actual market access conditions.

At the same time, this change is better understood as a long-term signal rather than merely a short-term disruption. The reason is not that broader market outcomes can be inferred from it, but that the input information clearly shows that the previous standard has been replaced, testing has become more stringent, certification has become slower, and customs clearance risks have increased. For relevant industry participants, what truly requires continued observation is not whether the rule will be enforced, but how quickly different business links will absorb the new requirements and how delivery and procurement schedules will be adjusted as a result.

At This Stage, the Focus Should Be on Business Implementation Rather Than Conceptual Judgment

Overall, the EU's mandatory implementation of EN IEC 63248-2:2026 for photovoltaic cleaning equipment conveys a clear core message: compliance review for relevant equipment intended for the European market is shifting from the previous standards framework to stricter new requirements. For the industry, the practical significance of this change is mainly reflected in certification cycles, customs clearance risks, and procurement execution, rather than remaining at the level of policy wording.

Therefore, this information is more appropriately understood as a compliance change that has already taken effect and will continue to affect actual business arrangements. It may not determine the direction of the market on its own, but it is sufficient to change the priorities of relevant companies in certification, delivery, and customer communication.

Basis of This Article and Directions for Further Verification

This article was generated based on the information title, event date, and event summary provided by the user. The confirmed facts are limited to the following: starting July 20, 2026, the EU will mandatorily implement EN IEC 63248-2:2026; imported photovoltaic cleaning equipment must pass comprehensive EMC testing and bear the new CE marking; the new standard replaces the previous EN 61000 series; testing requirements have become 35% more stringent; the certification cycle is extended by an average of 12 to 18 working days; and non-compliant products may face customs detention or the cost of returned shipments.

For this type of information, subsequent verification generally needs to be conducted continuously in conjunction with official announcements, standards organization documents, corporate announcements, industry association information, and reports from authoritative media. Since no specific official source links were provided in the input, the relevant statements still require further verification. Directions worth continued attention include whether the interpretation of rule enforcement will be further refined and whether European distributors and EPC procurement processes will receive further clarification regarding compliance documentation and delivery-cycle requirements.