Compliance push ahead of electrical safety regs

The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) is attempting to get 50,000 contractors to comply with proposed electrical safety regulations.

Electrical safety in dwellings has been under scrutiny since the government issued a consultation document proposing to introduce electrical safety as a legal requirement within the Building Regulations.

The government is now looking to the electrical contracting industry to "press ahead with developing schemes for competent firms ahead of legislation".

Jim Speirs, director general of NICEIC, said: "We have the technical expertise and practical knowledge to develop a scheme that will bring unregistered electrical firms up to a satisfactory standard ahead of any enforced electrical safety requirements."

Currently, 60,000-plus electrical contractors carry out domestic installation work in the UK. All will need to be registered with an approval body when electrical safety becomes law.

Speirs said: "We've contacted 700 contractors in London and the South East, explaining the electrical safety proposals, and the benefits of becoming an approved contractor ahead of legislation - and the response has been extremely favourable."