A Big Shift in How Electricians Prove Their Competence
The Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) is changing how electrical competence works in the UK — and the deadline is 1 October 2026. Previously, competence could sit at the company level. Under the updated rules, every individual electrician carrying out specific high-risk or low-carbon work must hold their own relevant Level 3 qualification.
This applies to PAYE staff, CIS subcontractors, agency workers, and self-employed sole traders working under a company’s certification body registration.
Why Does This Matter to You?
When you hire an electrician for work in your London home or business, you want to know the person actually doing the work is qualified — not just the company they work for. The EAS changes ensure exactly that.
Previously, it was possible for a registered company to send someone to your property who relied on the company’s overall certification rather than their own individual qualifications. The new rules close that gap.
What Counts as High-Risk or Low-Carbon Work?
The individual competence requirement applies to work such as consumer unit replacements and full rewires, electrical installation condition reports (EICRs), solar panel (PV) electrical connections, battery storage system installations, EV charger installations, and any work that’s notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations.
Essentially, if it involves creating or modifying circuits, or signing off electrical certificates, the person doing it needs to hold the right individual qualifications from October 2026.
How F & A Electrical Stays Ahead
At F & A Electrical, individual competence has always been our standard — not something we’re scrambling to meet. Our electricians are individually NICEIC accredited, hold current BS 7671 qualifications (updated to Amendment 4), and complete ongoing CPD through events like NICEIC TechLive.
When we come to your property, you can be confident the person doing the work has the qualifications to back it up.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician
With the EAS changes approaching, here are questions worth asking any electrician you’re considering hiring. Are your individual electricians Level 3 qualified? Is the person who’ll be doing the work personally registered with a competent persons scheme? Can you provide individual qualification details, not just a company registration number?
A reputable electrician will be happy to answer these questions. If they can’t, that’s a red flag.
Book a Qualified London Electrician
Call F & A Electrical on 07407 627 542 or request a free quote. We cover all London boroughs for domestic and commercial electrical work — always carried out by individually qualified, NICEIC-accredited electricians.
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Need help with your electrical project? Contact F & A Electrical for a free quote, or call us on 07500 721 453.