Are You Ready?
The update to the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) in October 2024 introduced new mandatory compliance for individual competences and the deadline for these changes to be in place, for full compliance, is the 1st October 2026.
With this ultimate deadline pending, you need to ensure that you meet the new compliance requirements, as failure to do so may result in the removal of specific work categories from your business registration.
The EAS is the framework for defining the minimum standards for electrical business operating in the UK and is used by certifications bodies such as NICEIC and NAPIT to determine who is competent in their operations to complete, supervise and certify electrical works.
The enquiry into the Grenfell Towers and further reviews of the built environment has seen an increased requirement for greater accountability. These EAS changes mean that a company no longer relies on single Qualified Supervisors, as they have in the past, to oversee several operatives but that individuals must undertake recognised qualifications, CPD and provide evidence of experience for specific categories of works carried out, to demonstrate their individual mandatory competence within the required framework.
There are a number of work categories specifically affected by the changes in the updated EAS and as mentioned, there has been an integration period since October 2024, however, these changes are now required to be in place for those needing to update their registrations:
Periodic Inspection and Testing
By the 1st October 2026, any individual carrying out or responsible for periodic inspection and testing must provide evidence of the following:
A recognised Level 3 Qualification, this includes the City & Guilds 2391-52 Initial Verification and Periodic Inspection and Testing or 2391-51 or equivalent.
At least two years’ experience, specifically in the field of periodic inspection and testing.
Ongoing Continued Professional Development (CPD), documented to show that the individual’s knowledge remains current with the latest BS 7671 amendments.
Low Carbon Work Categories
A significant change to the EAS is the four new mandatory work categories:
Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment (domestic and commercial)
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems (domestic and other dwellings)
Electrical Energy Storage Systems (battery storage)
Micro Wind Turbines
Historically, many installers carried out works based solely on the manufacturer’s installation training. As from the 1st October 2026, this training alone will not be sufficient enough for CPS registration, therefore installers and supervisors are required to hold a formal level 3 qualification as evidence of their competence of installation e.g. City & Guilds 2921-34 EV, 2922-34 PV Solar, 2923-34 Battery Storage or equivalent. Completing these qualifications ensures installers not only know the specifics of how to install a product, but the wider requirements of installation across all brands and products for earthing arrangements, load management and fire safety.
The biggest change to also note here is that there are no longer “grandfather rights” for the new low-carbon categories e.g. Even if a contractor has been installing solar panels for several years, by the 2026 deadline they will be required to obtain the formal Level 3 qualification to maintain the category of work on their CPS registration.
The qualifications to be obtained to meet the low carbon category competencies, hold strict learner entry requirements. Candidates must be able to provide evidence that they meet these requirements and are therefore qualified to undertake the low carbon (renewables) courses. Where a candidate does not meet the learner entry requirements, they may have to complete the Experienced Worker Assessment to qualify.
Amendment 4
The release of Amendment 4 to the Wiring Regs BS 7671 coincides with the changes to the EAS. Released on the 15th April 2026, the amendment includes new chapters on Battery Storage and revisions for Power over Ethernet.
Are you Prepared?
If you have not got the required qualifications / competences to meet the new requirements, do not delay! It is expected that there will be a bottleneck of course bookings as the October deadline draws closer. Plan ahead and make sure that you are not faced with the possibility of having work categories removed from your registration cards stopping you completing Inspection and Testing works and/or installation of renewables.
If you are unsure of what these changes mean for you as an individual or as a business, please give us a call to discuss further.
Over 21 Years of Training the Electrical Industry