NICEIC and ELECSA call for re-think over Third Party Certification Scheme

A recent survey of NICEIC and ELECSA registered contractors revealed that 78 per cent of respondents believe the scheme will undermine their work. Just over 85 per cent believe it weakens Part P of the building regulations with 85 per cent also believing it will compromise safety in the home. Significantly, nearly 80 per cent backed NICEIC and ELECSA’s decision to not operate a scheme.

‘The feedback from our contractors has been overwhelming. Carrying out electrical installation work is dangerous. It should not be attempted by anyone without the appropriate knowledge and skills,’ commented Emma Clancy, CEO of Certsure which operates the NICEIC and ELECSA brands.

‘We believe, in its current guise, the third party certification scheme will encourage non qualified people to cut costs by carrying out the work themselves. Our message has always been clear; if you can’t check, test and inspect your own work you should not be carrying out the work in the first place.’

In April 2013 DCLG announced amendments to the Building Regulations which set out the introduction of a third party certification for electrical work in homes. This would allow non-registered electricians or DIYers to carry out electrical work in the home, before having it checked and signed off by inspectors registered on a specialist scheme.

In late 2013 DCLG invited Competent Person Scheme operators to make an application to operate such a scheme. NICEIC and ELECSA chose not to apply believing it would encourage unsafe practices.

DCLG is expected to hold a review of Part P in 2015 and Certsure will recommend that further consideration of the Third Party Certification scheme and how it will operate is a large part of this.

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