Ask the expert: Competence requirements for contractors

The UK electrical industry is facing one of its most significant regulatory changes in years, with revised requirements under the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) due to take effect from 1 October 2026. What do electrical contractors need to know?

Historically, certification bodies such as NICEIC have focused on demonstrating a business’s overall technical competence, usually centred on the qualifications and experience of a single Qualified Supervisor (QS). However, the 2024/2025 revisions broaden this scope substantially. Going forward, individual competence will be mandatory for all employed persons undertaking specific types of work.  

From October 2026, every electrician completing inspection and testing as part of an EICR must hold an appropriate Level 3 qualification. The update also formalises qualification requirements for what are termed ‘low-carbon’ technologies, including EV charging installations, solar PV systems and electrical energy storage systems.

For many contractors, this represents a fundamental change. In the past, technician training under manufacturer courses or short CPD modules may have been sufficient for specific technologies. Under the new EAS framework, such training alone will not meet the required competence standard. Electricians must instead hold recognised Level 3 qualifications relevant to the work they perform.  

It’s also important to note that the term ‘employed person’ is now clearly defined to include PAYE employees, subcontracted labour, agency staff, and self-employed individuals working under a company’s certification. This closes previous gaps where individuals without recognised qualifications could undertake specialist work under the supervision of a qualified individual.  

What to do

To prepare, electrical companies should audit their workforce qualifications, map training needs against the new EAS requirements, and engage with accredited training providers as early as possible due to limited availability as a result of high demand for these courses.

In summary, the EAS 2026 changes mark a significant evolution of competence standards in the UK electrotechnical industry. Contractors that act now to upskill their workforce and align with the new specification will safeguard their certification status and be better positioned to thrive in a market increasingly defined by complexity and safety expectations.  

These changes are designed to raise competence standards and improve safety outcomes across a broad spectrum of electrical work to help protect the end user. I believe it’s one step closer to individual competence for the electrical industry.

cef.co.uk

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This article appeared in Electrotechnical News January/February 2026 edition – read it here