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What certificates do I need to demonstrate compliance?

Why do I need an Electrical Certificate?

Electrical certificates provide key information about the safety and legal compliance of the installations in your home.

It is important that you ensure the electrician you hire, your local authority approved inspector or a third party certifier (depending on the route you choose to comply with the Building Regulations) is able to provide them and that you keep them safe after the work is done. They will be requested as part of the legal procedure if you decide to sell your property and failure to produce them may delay this process.

What certificates should I expect?

No matter how big or small the job, your electrician should provide you with an electrical installation certificate which will confirm that the work carried out meets the British Standard for electrical safety, BS 7671.

All electrical work in dwellings is covered under Building Regulations. For any work that is notifiable, you should always receive a certificate to confirm that the work meets those that apply.


The table below summarises the certificates you should expect following the completion of certain types of work.

Work carried out Certificates issued England - Building Control Notification required Wales - Building Control Notification required

A new circuit has been installed.

Electrical Installation Certificate

Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (also known as a Part P Certificate)

Yes

Yes

A fuse box/ consumer unit has been replaced.

Electrical Installation Certificate

Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (also known as a Part P Certificate)

Yes

Yes

An existing circuit has been added to or altered in a room containing a bath, shower, swimming pool or sauna heater.

Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate

In many cases you will need a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (also known as a Part P Certificate).

Yes

Yes

An existing circuit has been added to or altered. For example, in a kitchen or outdoors.

Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate

In many cases you will need a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate (also known as a Part P Certificate).

No

Yes

Electrical circuits are checked for deterioration or damage caused over time.

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)

No

No