EAS changes: periodic inspection and testing competency requirements

The latest revision of the EAS has clarified the required competences for certified businesses carrying out and supervising periodic inspection and testing work (EICRs). We have addressed the second major change, relating to new work categories and qualification requirements for low-carbon installation work, in a separate blog.

If your certified business undertakes periodic inspection and testing as part of its certification with NICEIC (or any other certification body), you need to check your business meets the requirements, which are now in effect. Your certification body will ask for evidence of compliance during your assessments.

What is the EAS?

The EAS is an industry agreed specification intended for use by certification and registration bodies undertaking the assessment of businesses carrying out electrotechnical work.

It has been drawn up by organisations representing the electrotechnical industry and consumer safety interests to enhance the safety of electrotechnical work. These organisations include competent person scheme providers, trade associations, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), the Welsh Government, ECA, Electrical Safety First, The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership (TESP), UKAS, and the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

EAS requirements are applied industry-wide, so they aren't specific to NICEIC. If your business is certified on an electrotechnical scheme with any certification or registration body, including NICEIC, you must demonstrate compliance with the EAS as part of your assessment.

What are the changes?

In the recent update to the EAS, one of the key changes is the introduction of clarified wording on the competence requirements for those undertaking and/or responsible for periodic inspection and testing work (EICRs).

Mandatory technical competence (MTC) requirements mean that all employed persons* and qualified supervisors (QSs) undertaking and/or responsible for periodic inspection and testing, must:

• hold an acceptable relevant Level 3 qualification
• show evidence of at least two years' experience in periodic inspection and testing
• show evidence of ongoing continuing professional development (CPD).

Are there restrictions for trainees and apprentices?

Your trainees and apprentices can still undertake periodic inspection and testing work under the close supervision of another employed person who meets the mandatory technical competence requirements for periodic inspection and testing, so they can gain the experience they need.

What counts as evidence of at least two years’ experience in periodic inspection and testing?

This could include written confirmation from existing and previous employers of working under another competent person who holds an acceptable Level 3 qualification in periodic inspection and testing.

A list of the acceptable relevant qualifications is available here.

What next?

If your business undertakes periodic inspection and testing under your certification, you need to check training records for your QSs and employed persons to identify whether there are any gaps in qualifications you need to fill. If you’re at all unsure, you can call a member of our EAS team on 03333 218 225 and go through your team’s qualifications with them over the phone.

At your assessment, you’ll be required to show your assessor evidence that:

• all employed persons and qualified supervisors (QSs) undertaking and/or responsible for periodic inspection and testing hold an acceptable relevant qualification
• they have at least two years of experience in periodic inspection and testing
• they are undertaking CPD.

To prepare, make sure you have the relevant documentation to hand. This might include qualification certificates, completed EICRs that demonstrate experience dating back two years or more, and up-to-date CPD records for your team.

From 1 October 2026, if your business doesn't meet the above requirements, this will be marked as a major non-conformance on your assessment report and we will ask for evidence that your business has taken appropriate action. This may include proof of qualification (such as a certificate) or confirmation from a training provider that you're booked on a suitable course.

What support is available?

NICEIC has produced a suite of support resources to help its certified businesses understand the EAS changes. You can watch our two on-demand episodes of The Wire.

The first provides an overview of the changes, and the second covers the new competence requirements for both periodic inspection and testing and low-carbon technologies in more detail.

We also have a dedicated telephone number 03333 218 225 for EAS queries and a webpage, which includes frequently asked questions and signposts to suitable qualifications. You can also email us at [email protected].

To support you in meeting the EAS qualification requirements, our training team is also here to help. Visit our webpage, contact us on 0333 015 6627, or email [email protected].

NICEIC-certified businesses benefit from 10% off all our training courses (code available via your customer portal). We offer two of the acceptable relevant qualifications for periodic inspection and testing: the Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations (2391-51), Level 3 Award, and the Initial and Periodic Electrical Inspection and Testing (2391-52), Level 3 Award.

*The term 'employed persons' refers to any individuals engaged by your business to perform electrotechnical work, which may include directly employed staff, temporary or agency workers, and/or subcontracted labour, including self-employed individuals and sole traders.