Global Competence for Safe Work on

Electrically Powered Vehicles

UNEVSA develops and maintains the Global Training Program (GTP), a cross-sector competence framework for people working with, on or in the vicinity of electrically powered vehicles and their energy storage systems.

The framework supports clear competence requirements, consistent training principles and safe work across different vehicle sectors and countries.

UNEVSA competence framework

A clearer competence model for electric mobility

Vehicle regulations and technical standards are important—but they should not be the anchor for personnel qualification.

Vehicle regulations and standards shape technical competence

UNECE R100 and ISO 6469-3 are important references for the development, validation and electrical safety of electrically propelled road vehicles. Personnel involved in these activities need the competence to understand and apply the requirements relevant to their tasks.

Product requirements do not define personnel qualification

Vehicle regulations and technical standards do not define the competence, organisational role or authorisation required for a person to perform a specific task on a vehicle. These requirements must be derived from the task, the vehicle condition, the electrical hazards, the manufacturer’s procedures and the applicable occupational-safety requirements.

Cross-sector terminology

From High Voltage to Hazardous Voltage

A vehicle-specific reference becomes a common safety competence term for every electrically powered vehicle sector.

Current reference

High Voltage

Where “High Voltage” is used as a vehicle-competence term with ISO 6469-3 as its technical anchor, the reference framework is limited to electrically propelled road vehicles. It does not provide a common competence term for other electrically powered vehicle sectors.

Scope by vehicle sector

✓ Road vehicles× Machinery× Racing vehicles× Aircraft× Watercraft× Rail vehicles
UNEVSA framework

HV = Hazardous Voltage

UNEVSA uses “Hazardous Voltage” as the term for HV safety competence. HV describes the safety competence required wherever hazardous electrical conditions may occur and can therefore be applied consistently across all electrically powered vehicle sectors.

Scope by vehicle sector

✓ Road vehicles✓ Machinery✓ Racing vehicles✓ Aircraft✓ Watercraft✓ Rail vehicles

One term. Different meanings. A clearer competence model is required.

“High Voltage” is used for technology, voltage classification, personnel qualification and electrical hazard. These concepts are related—but they are not interchangeable.

Principles of the UNEVSA competence framework
TechnologyElectrically powered vehicle systems
EV ≠ HV

Technical vehicle competence and electrical safety competence are distinct. One does not automatically include the other.

Voltage classClassification of an electrical condition
Voltage ≠ Competence

A voltage value describes an electrical condition—not a person’s knowledge, skills or authorization.

QualificationKnowledge and skills of a person
Competence First

The required competence is determined by the task, the vehicle condition and the possible hazards.

HazardAn electrical condition requiring protective measures
HV = Hazardous Voltage

HV identifies the safety competence needed wherever hazardous electrical conditions may occur.

The Global Training Program (GTP)

The UNEVSA Global Training Program is a competence-based framework for safe work on electrically powered vehicles.

It consists of:

GTP 100 EVS iconProgram for training providers and trainersGTP 100 EVSThe common framework containing general requirements for training providers, trainers, training delivery, competence assessment and quality assurance.

Sector/Vehicle – Specific Training Programs

GTP 101 to GTP 602 define the vehicle-, activity- and qualification-specific requirements for the respective sectors.

Manufacturer programmes

Development · Manufacturing · Production

Manufacturer
Electric road vehicle iconGTP 101 EVSRoad vehiclesElectric machinery iconGTP 201 EVSMachineryElectric racing vehicle iconGTP 301 EVSRacing vehiclesElectric aircraft iconGTP 401 EVSAircraftElectric watercraft iconGTP 501 EVSWatercraftElectric rail vehicle iconGTP 601 EVSRail vehicles

Aftermarket organisations

Workshops · Service · Repair

Aftermarket
Electric road vehicle workshop iconGTP 102 EVSRoad vehiclesElectric machinery workshop iconGTP 202 EVSMachineryElectric racing vehicle workshop iconGTP 302 EVSRacing vehiclesElectric aircraft workshop iconGTP 402 EVSAircraftElectric watercraft workshop iconGTP 502 EVSWatercraftElectric rail vehicle workshop iconGTP 602 EVSRail vehicles

This structure allows common principles to be applied across different vehicle sectors while preserving the technical and regulatory requirements of each application.

Within the UNEVSA Global Training Program, HV refers to Hazardous Voltage. The term focuses on the potential electrical hazard to people rather than solely on a vehicle-specific voltage classification.

Detailed definitions and technical criteria are specified in the applicable UNEVSA publications.

How the GTP is structured

One STEP ahead.

STEP distinguishes four fields of activity, each with its own training levels.

Service

LevelsS · S1 · S2 · S3
Testing

LevelsT · T1 · T2 · T3
Engineering

LevelsE · E1 · E2 · E3
Production

LevelsP · P1 · P2 · P3

Training levels are tailored to the tasks and competence requirements of each field.

Technical EV competence and HV safety competence are determined separately for the intended activity. The sector-specific GTPs define the detailed requirements across vehicle sectors.

  • Activity-Specific Qualifications
    Additional competence may be required for specialised activities that are not fully covered by the fundamental EV and HV competence levels.

  • Practical Application & Competence Assessment
    Where practical skills are required, they must be acquired and assessed through suitable practical training. The applicable Global Training Program defines how the required competence must be demonstrated.

Quality Assurance and Credentials

Training delivery, quality assurance and credentialing are separate functions within the UNEVSA framework.

Training providers are responsible for delivering training in accordance with the applicable requirements.

Where a separate certification or credentialing scheme is used, additional requirements for auditing, authorisation or qualification records may apply.

Compliance with the UNEVSA Global Training Program does not in itself require membership in UNEVSA or the use of a specific commercial credentialing platform.

Why the GTP matters

  • Safety‑first: Safety competence protects technicians from electric hazards

  • Global consistency: Same structure worldwide, independent of country or vehicle class

  • Technology‑flexible: One framework, adaptable to all electric mobility and machinery sectors.

  • Clear communication: Training centers, employers, authorities, and OEMs share a common language of competence.

International EV Training Frameworks

Common HV Competence Requirements

Explore 12 international reference systems and their connection to UNEVSA’s competence framework, with training levels, source links and relevant GTP programmes.

What is UNEVSA?

UNEVSA – United Electric Vehicle Safety Association – is an international non-profit association focused on competence and safety for work on electrically powered vehicles.

Its primary task is the development and maintenance of the UNEVSA Global Training Program.

The Global Training Program provides a common framework for:

  • technical competence;
  • electrical safety competence;
  • training requirements;
  • competence assessment;
  • training providers and trainers;
  • quality assurance.

UNEVSA does not replace national legislation, occupational safety requirements, professional qualifications or manufacturer-specific procedures.

Collaboration & Exchange

UNEVSA provides a platform for cooperation between training organisations, manufacturers, employers, technical experts, safety organisations and other stakeholders involved in electric mobility.

The objective is to:

  • exchange technical and practical experience;
  • contribute to the development of the Global Training Program;
  • improve the comparability of competence requirements;
  • support consistent terminology across vehicle sectors;
  • identify future training and safety requirements.

Participation in UNEVSA does not constitute governmental, regulatory or national qualification recognition.

Education & Competence

The Global Training Program defines the competence framework within which training providers can develop and deliver training for specific activities and vehicle sectors.

UNEVSA distinguishes between two complementary areas:

  • EV – Technical Competence
  • HV – Hazardous Voltage Safety Competence

Technical competence and safety competence are complementary parts of the overall qualification required for an activity.

Safety & Technical Framework

The Global Training Program takes relevant international standards, established safety principles and practical experience into account when defining competence requirements.

  • Cross-sector safety principles
  • Clear competence descriptions
  • Vehicle-specific requirements
  • Compatibility with national requirements

Where national legislation or mandatory requirements establish higher or additional requirements, those requirements remain applicable.

For Training Providers

The UNEVSA Global Training Program can be used by qualified training organisations, manufacturers, educational institutions and employers as a framework for competence-based training.

Structured program

Use the applicable GTP as a basis for:

  • defining target groups;
  • planning training;
  • structuring competence requirements;
  • documenting training;
  • assessing competence.

International Orientation

Use the common framework to support:

  • consistent terminology;
  • comparable learning outcomes;
  • alignment across locations and organisations;
  • adaptation to national requirements;
  • transparent documentation of competence.

Technical Exchange

Contribute to the development of the GTP by:

  • sharing practical experience;
  • providing sector-specific expertise;
  • identifying emerging technologies and hazards;
  • submitting feedback on GTP requirements;
  • participating in technical reviews.

frequently asked questions

Find quick answers to the most common questions about UNEVSA, our mission, membership, and the Global Training Program for Electric Vehicle Safety.

UNEVSA is the United Electric Vehicle Safety Association, an international non-profit association developing a common competence framework for safe work on electrically powered vehicles.

Its mission is to support clear competence requirements and consistent training principles across different vehicle sectors.

Membership is open to individuals and organisations that support the objectives of UNEVSA, including trainers, training organisations, manufacturers, employers and other relevant stakeholders.

Membership is separate from certification, trainer authorisation or approval as a training provider.

The Global Training Program defines a common competence framework and sector-specific training requirements.

GTP 100 EVS contains the general requirements, while GTP 101 to GTP 602 define the specific requirements for individual vehicle sectors and fields of activity.

No.

The UNEVSA Global Training Program is an association-developed competence and training framework.

It does not replace national legislation, mandatory occupational safety requirements, regulated professional qualifications or manufacturer-specific requirements.

Where formal recognition by a competent authority exists, this must be identified separately.

No.

Membership in UNEVSA is not a prerequisite for implementing training based on the UNEVSA Global Training Program.

Separate certification or credentialing schemes may establish additional requirements.