New EAS effective 1st September 2020.

All that I see being different to the 2015 version is an expansion of work categories and more detail on criteria to demonstrate competence during assessment.

One of the  biggest differences is Periodic Inspection having its own category.

So, there is one tick box exercise being replaced with another, except it has more boxes to tick in the 2020 version.

Given how easy it is presently to tick the box, I cannot see how the slight increase in these boxes will make any difference, unless the biggest certification body makes radical changes to the way they operate. Presently it is a slight of hand and a flash of a logo. Claiming you are "NICEIC Registered" as opposed to the more accurate, "Domestic Installer", is a powerful commercial tool that will not be given up lightly. That you are allowed to do this by this body, when previously, many years ago, the same body would strictly regulate the use of the Logo, tells you all you need to know about the value of bums on seats and having the biggest portion of the pie, is to the bottom line of Certsure.


For those not familiar with how it works, consider that the certification body assessing works purely for Part P, have no interest whatsoever in the other electrotechnical work done by the same enterprise, such as Commercial/ Industrial and Periodic Inspection, as these are "out of scope". However, these same enterprises are able to persuade Clients  that they are in able to do these works, by virtue of being "NICEIC Registered". This persuasion can be as subtle and limited as claiming "NICEIC registered" in an advert of web page or on the side of a van. I can not see that changing anytime soon as the rewards for Certsure are vast.


David made an observation on QS requirements. I am not sure there is anything more onerous than previously, so long as the QS is not also the PDH. The Duty Holder will be the one to carry the can for statutory neglect. In my experience, personal experience as well, the QS will be the proverbial lamb to the slaughter, as they have absolutely no control over compliance in the business, as the time involved is not economically viable to the employer.

All that I see being different to the 2015 version is an expansion of work categories and more detail on criteria to demonstrate competence during assessment.

One of the  biggest differences is Periodic Inspection having its own category.

So, there is one tick box exercise being replaced with another, except it has more boxes to tick in the 2020 version.

Given how easy it is presently to tick the box, I cannot see how the slight increase in these boxes will make any difference, unless the biggest certification body makes radical changes to the way they operate. Presently it is a slight of hand and a flash of a logo. Claiming you are "NICEIC Registered" as opposed to the more accurate, "Domestic Installer", is a powerful commercial tool that will not be given up lightly. That you are allowed to do this by this body, when previously, many years ago, the same body would strictly regulate the use of the Logo, tells you all you need to know about the value of bums on seats and having the biggest portion of the pie, is to the bottom line of Certsure.


For those not familiar with how it works, consider that the certification body assessing works purely for Part P, have no interest whatsoever in the other electrotechnical work done by the same enterprise, such as Commercial/ Industrial and Periodic Inspection, as these are "out of scope". However, these same enterprises are able to persuade Clients  that they are in able to do these works, by virtue of being "NICEIC Registered". This persuasion can be as subtle and limited as claiming "NICEIC registered" in an advert of web page or on the side of a van. I can not see that changing anytime soon as the rewards for Certsure are vast.


David made an observation on QS requirements. I am not sure there is anything more onerous than previously, so long as the QS is not also the PDH. The Duty Holder will be the one to carry the can for statutory neglect. In my experience, personal experience as well, the QS will be the proverbial lamb to the slaughter, as they have absolutely no control over compliance in the business, as the time involved is not economically viable to the employer.