Regulations

REGULATIONS THAT AFFECT ELECTRICAL WORK

Industry standards and a legal framework are what govern electrical installation work.

Industry Standards
Standards (regardless of being British, European or International) are neither written into law
nor legally enforceable unless part of a contract. The appropriate standards within a contract
will usually be stated as the basic level of work needed to complete the contract.

A nationally recognised institute that is applicable to the industry will approve the voluntary
codes. This is to ensure simplification across the industry regarding procedures and
terminology.

Certain standards can be given an elevated status when they are referred to either directly or
indirectly in statutes. One example of this within the electrical industry is British Standard 7671
which is mentioned indirectly in the Electricity at Work (1989) Regulations and directly in the
Approved Document for Part P of the Building Regulations. Being referred to directly or
indirectly in legislation gives the standards a pseudo legal status.

Legal Framework
Alongside industry standards, electrical contractors are also subject to a variety of mandatory
regulations covering health and safety, working practices and management of electrical supply
and products. Contractors must be committed to not only legislation but also bound by their
duties and responsibilities under contract law. Important legal requirements for electrical work
are outlined in the following documents:

  • The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 – These regulations impose a duty of care on all employers to ensure they manage their electrical systems and products in order not to cause death or injury to others. The regulations cover the design, construction, operation and maintenance of these systems.
  • The Building Act 1984 & 2000: The Building Regulations – This branches out from the main Act of Parliament which is the Building Act 1984. This regulation is in place to highlight standards for most aspects of a building's construction, including its structure, fire safety, sound insulation, drainage, ventilation and electrical safety.

To ensure your electrical work is safe and compliant, always use a registered contractor.