EAS requirements are changing – is the electrical sector ready for them?

The Electrotechnical Assessment Specification sits behind every competent person scheme in the electrical sector. It sets the standard that scheme providers use when they assess registered businesses, and those businesses in turn rely on their registration to self-certify notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations in England and Wales. Any change to the EAS therefore affects how contractors operate day to day. The shift described here, where organisations may need to show individual Level 3 competency for some of the work they already carry out, moves the focus away from the business as a whole and towards the people actually doing the work. Firms that have relied on one suitably qualified supervisor to cover a wider team may find that arrangement no longer holds for every type of installation. The changes took effect from 1 October, so contractors who have not yet reviewed their position should check with their scheme provider which elements apply to them and on what timescale. For trainees and working electricians, the message is that recognised, verifiable qualifications matter more than ever. A Level 3 qualification gained through a structured route, such as the Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation followed by the Level 3 NVQ in Electrotechnical Services, gives an individual documented evidence of competence that holds up under assessment. That is distinct from experience alone, however extensive. Current knowledge of BS 7671 through the 18th Edition qualification, and inspection and testing competence such as the 2391, remain central to the qualified supervisor role and to issuing certification correctly. Electricians working in specialist areas like EV charging or solar PV and battery storage should also check whether the specific scope they work under carries its own competency requirements. More broadly, this change is part of a sustained effort across the industry to make sure the title of electrician reflects a consistent and provable standard. Initiatives such as the Electrotechnical Skills Partnership's work on recognised routes to competence point the same way. For those early in their careers, it reinforces the value of completing a full qualification pathway rather than stopping partway through. For experienced electricians whose qualifications have gaps, it is a sensible moment to review what they hold against what scheme providers now expect, before an assessment visit forces the question. Employers who plan ahead and support their staff through recognised qualifications are likely to find the transition far smoother than those who wait.