星空传媒

星空传媒 regulations minister Christopher Leslie has told the House of Commons that the Government's consultation over the introduction of electrical safety regulations for dwellings has broad support and positive progress may soon be possible.

The proposals, which went out for public consultation in May 2002, would see electrical safety brought within the scope of the 星空传媒 Regulations as a new Part P. "We have taken this course because of concerns about increasing risks of electrical accidents in the home," Leslie told MPs on 10 April. "This is coupled with the apparent absence of voluntary controls or legislation that effectively reaches much domestic electrical installation work."

The draft documents made it clear that the proposals would probably be too costly without a system of competent electrical firms able to self-certify their work. "Consultees strongly agree that self-certification is a vital component and I therefore encourage those who are already working to develop a national competent firms system to press ahead," said Leslie.

The Electrotechnical Assessment Scheme (EAS) was developed by the Electrical Installation Industry Liaison Committee in anticipation of self-certification. The ECA is now calling for this to be given the green light by government. "It is very important that government formally recognises compliance with the EAS to be the essential requirement in demonstrating competence," said the ECA's director David Pollock.

The NICEIC believes that its Approved Contractor scheme fits the bill. "The NICEIC has operated a voluntary assessment scheme to advance the safety of electricity users for over 45 years, and its objectives are in line with the proposals to bring electrical safety into the 星空传媒 Regulations," said Jim Speirs, NICEIC director general. "Contractors enrolled on the NICEIC scheme are already complying with many of the proposed changes."

The Government is to analyse further the consultation response before making a final decision. "The decision on whether or not to introduce the proposed requirements will depend on the final regulatory impact assessment and the prospect of a viable self-certification system, in place ready for implementation, will be one of the key factors influencing this," said Leslie.

"The ECA calls upon government now to adopt the EAS scheme unambiguously as the benchmark for competent electrical contractors. Its non-proprietary status would ensure competition between assessment providers to the benefit of contractors and consumers alike," said Pollock.