As you may be well aware, a welcome step towards electrical safety is soon to be introduced in the form of Part P of the Building Regulations. Under this proposed regulation, domestic fixed electrical installation will be subject to the statutory provisions of building control as administered by local authorities.

Contractors who are certified as competent will be able to self-certify that their work fully meets these provisions. It is anticipated that government will formally announce its approval of the schemes to be used to judge a contractor's competence to self-certify compliance with Part P early in the new year.

It is expected that, once government approval is granted to the certification process, there will be a stampede of firms seeking certification in time for the introduction of Part P in the summer of 2004. ECA members are advised to apply for certification sooner rather than later.

The ECA has lobbied for many years for a minimum level of competence in electrical contracting, enshrined by law. While we regard Part P as a step in the right direction, we would welcome its scope to be extended beyond dwellings.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor