What Is It?
An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is an official document that certifies new electrical work has been designed, installed, inspected, and tested in accordance with BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations). It must be issued for all new electrical installations, including complete rewires, new circuits, and consumer unit replacements. The certificate provides a detailed record of the installation's design, the results of inspection and testing, and confirmation that the work complies with current standards.
Who Needs It?
Anyone having new electrical installation work carried out in their property needs an EIC. This includes homeowners commissioning a rewire, landlords having a consumer unit replaced, developers building new properties, and businesses installing new electrical systems. The electrician carrying out the work is responsible for issuing the certificate. Property buyers should check that EICs exist for any recent electrical work. Building control also requires notification for most new installation work under Part P of the Building Regulations.
When Is It Required?
An EIC is required whenever new electrical installation work is carried out. This includes complete or partial rewires, installation of a new consumer unit (fuse box), addition of new circuits, installation of electric vehicle charging points, new electrical installations in extensions or loft conversions, and any work that is notifiable under Part P Building Regulations. The certificate must be issued upon completion of the work and before the installation is put into service.
What Does It Cover?
- Details of the design of the new electrical installation, including circuit arrangements, protective device ratings, and cable specifications
- Records of the construction and installation methods used, confirming compliance with BS 7671
- Full inspection results covering workmanship, correct selection of equipment, and compliance with regulations
- Test results for continuity of protective conductors and ring final circuits
- Insulation resistance measurements for all new circuits
- Earth fault loop impedance test results confirming protective devices will operate within required disconnection times
- RCD test results where residual current devices have been installed
- A schedule of circuits detailing every new circuit, its protective device, cable type and size, and reference method
How Long Is It Valid?
An EIC does not expire in the same way as an EICR. It is a permanent record that the installation was compliant at the time of completion. However, the certificate will state a recommended date for the first periodic inspection, which is typically 10 years for a domestic installation or 5 years for a commercial one. The installation should then be periodically inspected via an EICR at the intervals recommended.
How Much Does It Cost?
£100–£300
The cost of an EIC is usually included in the price of the electrical installation work itself. If charged separately (for example, when certifying work retrospectively), expect to pay £100-£300 depending on the complexity of the installation and the number of circuits involved.
What Happens If You Don't Comply?
Failing to obtain an EIC for notifiable electrical work is a breach of Part P Building Regulations. This can result in enforcement action by the local authority, who may require the work to be opened up for inspection or even removed and redone. When selling a property, the absence of an EIC for recent electrical work can delay or collapse a sale. Insurance claims may also be rejected if electrical work was not properly certified.
How to Get One
Hire a qualified electrician who is registered with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or equivalent). Registration allows them to self-certify their work under Part P without separate Building Control notification.
Discuss the scope of work before it begins — the electrician should explain the design, circuit arrangements, and protective measures as part of the planning process.
The electrician carries out the installation work, inspects it, and performs all required tests as each stage is completed.
Upon completion, the electrician issues the Electrical Installation Certificate with full design details, inspection observations, and test results.
If the work is notifiable under Part P, the electrician (if registered with a competent person scheme) notifies Building Control on your behalf and you receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.
Retain the EIC with your property documents — you will need it when selling the property or for future inspections.
