The government is to introduce requirements on electrical safety in dwellings to reduce the number of deaths, injuries and fires caused by defective fixed electrical installations.
It will add a part P to the building regulations as soon as suitable competent person self-certification schemes are in place.
BRAC recommended five schemes which the government has approved (BRE Certification Ltd, British Standards Institution, ELECSA Ltd, NICEIC Certification Services Ltd and Zurich Certification Ltd). Others are under consideration.
Part P comes into effect on 1 January 2005. The regulations will authorise the approved competent person schemes, which will also begin operating on the same date.
The full text of the ministerial written statement is in Hansard.