What KEMA does

KEMA Labs is the testing, inspection and certification (TIC) division of CESI S.p.A., an Italian private limited company, and operates as a global independent testing provider for the electricity sector. The firm runs more than 20 specialized laboratory types covering high-voltage, high-power, HVDC, transformer, seismic and vibration, EMC, explosion-proof, pollution, climatic, smart metering, protection and substation automation, and advanced power-grid testing, complemented by product certification, inspection, on-site testing, and professional training services. Its proprietary assets include the 'Remote L@b' remote-observation platform and a searchable Type Test Certificate database that publicly verifies components tested in the past five years; the 'KEMA Certificate' is treated by utilities and OEMs as a recognized mark of compliance.

The company serves two primary customer segments — electrical equipment manufacturers (cables, switchgear, transformers, insulators, bushings, surge arresters, power electronics, measuring relays) and power utilities requiring on-site testing and certification — plus a secondary e-mobility segment for EV charging and battery storage equipment. Revenue is generated through quote-based professional-services engagements across testing, certification, inspection, and training, delivered via a global network of laboratories and on-site crews using an enterprise field-sales motion. The firm invests heavily in thought leadership (technical papers, Energy Journal, Testingly, Views, webinars) and maintains a corporate LinkedIn presence to reinforce category authority. As a brand dating to 1927 and now operating under CESI alongside subsidiaries Ismes and ISTEDIL, KEMA Labs functions as the electricity-sector TIC arm of a broader energy and infrastructure consulting platform, with no public listing, no disclosed funding rounds, and no recent M&A activity in the source material.

Name

KEMA

Legal name

CESI S.p.A.

Website

https://kema.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

KEMA Labs is the testing, inspection and certification division of CESI S.p.A., providing independent laboratory testing, product certification, and on-site testing for electrical equipment manufacturers, power utilities, and e-mobility companies worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrical Equipment Testing and Certification

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Testing, Commissioning & Energization Services (HV) (EUAEABAI)

Keywords

• Electrical equipment testing
• High voltage testing
• Power grid certification
• Energy consultancy services
• Independent testing laboratories

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Testing Services: Laboratory testing services for electrical equipment including high voltage, high power, transformer, and other specialized testing. Revenue generated through per-test fees based on complexity and requirements.
2. Product Certification: Certification services for electrical products including Type Test Certificates. Provides formal certification confirming compliance with relevant standards.
3. Product Inspections: On-site and laboratory inspection services for electrical equipment and components
4. Professional Training Courses: Training courses for professionals in the testing and certification industry
5. On-site Testing: Testing services performed at customer locations for installed or refurbished components before commissioning

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

KEMA Labs provides independent laboratory testing, product inspection, and certification services for electrical equipment used in the power sector. The offering spans more than 19 specialized testing laboratories covering high voltage, high power, HVDC, transformers, seismic and vibration, EMC, smart metering, protection and substation automation, pollution, explosion proof, climatic, high current, low voltage, and synthetic testing, complemented by product certification, on-site testing, and professional training.

Product overview

KEMA Labs is a comprehensive testing, inspection, and certification platform for the electricity sector. The portfolio includes over 20 specialized laboratory services (High Voltage Testing, High Power Testing, Transformer Testing, Seismic & Vibration Testing, EMC Testing, HVDC Laboratories, Smart Metering Laboratories, Protection & Substation Automation Laboratories, Advanced Power Grid Testing, and others) complemented by Product Certification & Inspection Services, Professional Training Courses, and On-site Testing capabilities. The offering also includes Remote L@b for virtual observation of tests and a KEMA Certificates database for verified component certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KEMA Labs: The global leader in independent testing for the electricity sector, offering testing labs, product inspections, certification, training, and on-site testing services.
• Ismes

Products and services

• KEMA Labs Testing, Inspection and Certification Global independent testing, inspection and certification platform for the electricity sector, providing accredited laboratory testing across all major electrical equipment categories for manufacturers, utilities, and e-mobility companies.
• High Voltage Testing Laboratories Laboratory facilities dedicated to testing high voltage electrical equipment and components for manufacturers and utilities.
• High Power Testing Laboratories Laboratory facilities for high power testing of electrical equipment, verifying performance under high current and short-circuit conditions.
• Transformer Test Laboratories Specialized laboratory testing services for power and distribution transformers, providing performance and type verification.
• Seismic and Vibration Test Laboratories Laboratory facilities for seismic and vibration testing of electrical equipment, validating mechanical resilience for grid and infrastructure deployment.
• Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Laboratories EMC testing facilities evaluating electromagnetic emissions and immunity of electrical and electronic equipment.
• High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Laboratories Specialized testing for HVDC equipment and infrastructure used in long-distance direct current transmission systems.
• Smart Metering Laboratories Testing facilities for smart electricity meters and metering systems used by utilities and metering manufacturers.
• Protection and Substation Automation Laboratories Testing services for protection relays and substation automation equipment used in power system protection schemes.
• Advanced Power Grid Testing (FPGL) Advanced testing capabilities for power grid components and systems, supporting next-generation grid equipment validation.
• Product Certification and Inspection Services Certification and inspection services for electrical products and equipment, issuing formal Type Test Certificates confirming compliance with relevant standards.
• Professional Training Courses Professional training programs for electrical industry practitioners covering testing and certification methodologies.
• On-site Testing Testing services performed at customer locations for installed or refurbished components before commissioning, delivered by KEMA field engineers.
• Remote L@b Remote laboratory testing capability enabling customers to observe and participate in tests virtually, eliminating the need for physical presence at the lab.
• KEMA Certificates Database Searchable database of Type Test Certificates issued for components tested by KEMA in the past five years, providing verification of certified electrical components.
• Synthetic Testing Laboratories Synthetic testing laboratories for simulation of electrical equipment behavior under controlled fault and operational conditions.
• Explosion Proof Test Laboratories Testing facilities for explosion-proof electrical equipment validating safety in hazardous environments.
• Climatic Chambers Climate testing chambers providing environmental testing of electrical equipment under controlled temperature, humidity, and atmospheric conditions.
• Measuring Equipment Calibration Calibration services for measuring equipment used in electrical testing, ensuring measurement traceability and accuracy.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS: SGS operates one of the world's largest TIC networks, including electrical and electronics testing laboratories. While not specializing in HV electrical testing like KEMA, it offers overlapping product certification, EMC, and reliability services for electrical OEMs.
• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global TIC conglomerate with electrical and electronic product testing capabilities. It competes with KEMA across multiple electrical testing categories but as part of a much broader portfolio spanning marine, commodities, and built environment.
• UL Solutions: UL Solutions offers product safety testing, certification, and standards development across electrical and electronic products, including grid-connected equipment and e-mobility. Its UL mark for electrical safety competes with KEMA's certification brand in manufacturer market access.

Direct peers

• DNV: DNV provides testing, certification, and advisory services for the energy value chain, including power transmission, renewables, and grid components. Its energy-focused certification portfolio and laboratory capabilities overlap meaningfully with KEMA Labs' electricity sector focus.
• STRI (Swedish Transmission Research Institute): STRI provides independent testing, consulting, and certification services for HV equipment, insulation systems, and power grids. Its narrow focus on HV electrical testing makes it a close functional peer to KEMA Labs' specialized offerings.
• Intertek: Intertek provides testing, inspection, and certification services for electrical products, including power equipment, smart metering, and e-mobility. Its ETL mark and electrical lab network position it as a direct competitor in the same product categories served by KEMA Labs.
• Element Materials Testing: Element Materials Testing operates a global network of testing laboratories serving electrical, energy, and industrial customers. Its electrical product testing and certification services are directly comparable to KEMA's portfolio for OEMs and utilities.
• TÜV SÜD: TÜV SÜD operates one of the largest electrical and electronics testing laboratory networks globally, including high-voltage and EMC labs. It directly competes with KEMA Labs in independent third-party testing and certification of electrical equipment for power and industrial markets.
• DEKRA: DEKRA provides testing, inspection, and certification services including for electrical products, power systems, and e-mobility. Its laboratory network and certification offerings directly overlap with KEMA Labs' high-voltage, EMC, and product certification services.

Regional players

• Powertech Labs: Powertech Labs (a BC Hydro subsidiary) operates high-voltage and high-power testing laboratories in Canada serving North American utilities and equipment manufacturers. Its HV test capabilities are highly comparable to KEMA Labs, though its geographic focus is regional.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/inesispa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cesi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KEMA