Part P operators jostle for position

BRE Certification has reduced the cost of the Part P assessment scheme it runs with the support of the ECA.

From 4 April, electrical contractors who apply for competent person status under the BREC scheme will now pay £350+vat. This is a reduction of nearly £200 on the original price. The reduction is for an initial three-month period.

Non-ECA members that have already registered with the scheme will receive £200 worth of credits to use against the costs incurred when notifying each job to Building Control. ECA members already receive the discounted rate when applying to the BREC scheme.

Stuart Burchell, ECA head of external affairs, explains: “The scheme has developed well and we have increased our capacity. The success of the scheme to date has allowed us to review our pricing. Those contractors who have registered with the scheme report that they found the process fast and straightforward, so we are confident we can deal with a greater demand and, at the same time, offer a lower price.

“We are, nonetheless, committed to ensuring we maintain high standards when it comes to registration and assessment. Part P exists to promote high standards within the industry and this is something which remains of the utmost importance to the ECA and its members.”

The price reduction will be reviewed after three months to assess the impact on demand.

NAPIT has introduced just8, a scheme designed for qualified persons prepared to limit the annual number of notifications to eight. It may suit those electricians wishing to carry out notifiable work in their own home or the houses of family and friends.

NAPIT has priced the just8 scheme at £240 in the first year. Notifications exceeding eight per annum will require full membership.

NIC Certification has reapplied to run the NAPIT assessment scheme, previously administered by Zurich Certification before it was bought by the NICEIC.

Dave Cowburn, director of NIC Certification, said: “NIC Certification offers direct access to NICEIC qualifications but also supports other qualifications that prove competence to install to BS 7671.”