Joint effort

Napit and Certsure (which operates the Elecsa and NICEIC brands) this week took the next step in providing a single point of reference for consumers seeking an electrician. The organisation will create on easily identifiable mark for full scope Part P registered electricians, easily recognisable by consumers and supported by a single register.

12 months ago Certsure and Napit created separate registers to promote the use of competent, registered electricians to consumers. The intention of both organisations was to help simplify the market and raise public awareness about the dangers of sub-standard electrical repairs and installations.

Although the registers attracted significant interest from consumers, the organisations felt this may prove a distraction from issues like safety and quality. In order to overcome this Napit and Certsure met in the autumn to discuss a new way forward for promoting the use of competent, registered domestic electricians to consumers.

It is anticipated the proposal will include all licensed Electrical Competent Person Scheme Operators in England and Wales who are approved by DCLG to run an electrical certification scheme.

The proposal has been discussed with all full scope electrical Competent Person Scheme Operators, who are in principle happy with the plans.

The schemes will continue to operate within the current Building Regulations framework and promote their own brands jointly with the new quality mark to raise awareness of competent registered electricians to householders.

Commenting on the joint initiative, Phil Buckle, director general of the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) said: “The Electrical Safety Council strongly supports this move by Certsure and Napit. A joint approach will simplify things for consumers, making it easier for them to find a registered electrician. It will also help our work by further highlighting to the public the importance of using a registered electrician”.

A webinar discussing changes to Part P, hosted by Electrical Review in association with NICEIC and Elecsa, is available on the Electrical Review website. Click here to view the recording.