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Approved Contractor Scheme
NICEIC Approved Contractor Scheme for electrical contractors undertaking design, installation, commisioning and maintenance of electrical installations to BS 7671.
What is the Approved Contractor Scheme?
NICEIC’s Approved Contractor Scheme is designed to maintain and publish a register of electrical contractors that have been assessed against a specific set of competency requirements, in particular the national electrical safety standard BS 7671 the IEE Wiring Regulations.
The register of contractors is formally known as the Roll of Approved Contractors and is operated by NICEIC under license from the Electrical Safety Council. The aim of the Roll is to promote the use of competent persons and provide users of contracting services with a single source directory of competent contractors.
Registered contractors will work to the UK national standard, BS 7671, and will issue a safety certificate for their electrical work to confirm that the installation has been designed, constructed, inspected and tested in accordance with the standard.
The NICEIC Approved Contractor Scheme is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to EN 45011 - General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems. Accreditation ensures that the scheme is operated with independence and integrity and that it focuses on the quality and safety of the final installation.
Who is the Approved Contractor Scheme applicable to?
The scheme is open to any electrical contractors or contracting organisations which can demonstrate their competence to perform electrical installation work in accordance with BS 7671.
Applicants may include:
- Electricians working on commercial and industrial installations
- Testing and inspection contractors
- Street lighting installers
- Security systems installers
- Other contractors with a scope of work covered by BS 7671
What are the immediate benefits of approval?
Approved Contractors will gain:
- Free entry on the NICEIC register of contractors a valuable reference for householders, landlords and other buyers of contracting services.
- Use of the NICEIC Approved Contractor mark on stationery, website, vehicles and advertising materials
- Free access to the The Essential Guide to the Wiring Regulations (updated quarterly), the industry's definitive guide to complying with BS 7671
- Technical support through seminars, publications, technical helpline and a secure log in area on the NICEIC website
- The ability to pass on benefits to customers that are not available through the non-certified routes of compliance
Customers of registered contractors will enjoy the following benefits:
- Confidence that the work is performed by competent contractors and that it complies with the relevant safety standards
- Knowledge that the contractor holds adequate insurance and that essential documentation, training, technical capability and equipment is maintained and up-to-date
- Peace of mind, as NICEIC has an independent Complaints Procedure and Insurance Backed Warranty Scheme if any problems should arise
How to gain approval to the Approved Contractor Scheme
The process of approval follows four simple steps:
- Application for approval is made by the contractor
- NICEIC undertake a preliminary assessment visit to ensure that the contractor is fully prepared for assessment
- NICEIC performs a full assessment of the contractor’s competence
- Approval is granted by NICEIC and maintained by the contractor
Click here to download 'Gaining Approval' flow chart.
NICEIC will review the application and appoint an Assessing Engineer to conduct the onsite assessment to assess competence of the contractor. Contractors will need to demonstrate their competence by:
- employing and supporting a Principal Duty Holder and Qualified Supervisor
- maintaining a record of all electrical installation work
- undergoing on-site assessment of recent installation installations
If, for any reason, the contractor does not meet the Scheme requirements, NICEIC will provide full guidance to enable them to achieve compliance and gain approval.
Once approval is achieved, it is maintained through a programme of annual assessment visits.
Contact us
For more information about this service, contact us today. We will be pleased to help you.
Telephone 0870 013 0382 or email enquiries@niceic.com
For further information please download the below.
Available Downloads
- Approved Contracter Fees
Approved contractor fees from April 1st 2009
