The summer has seen the introduction of pilots of the Government's Quality Mark in Birmingham and Somerset as well as the Electrotechnical Assessment Scheme.
The new Electrotechnical Assessment Scheme is to be piloted throughout the UK for the rest of the year. It is hoped that the pilots will provide a single set of criteria for the regular technical assessment of electrical contractors.

The new scheme is likely to become the badge needed for electrical contractors wishing to self-certify their installations when the Wiring Regulations are included in the Building Regulations in the near future.

The scheme will enable assessment of all electrical work including security, fire alarm and control systems. Contractors meeting the criteria will be able to use the EAS logo as proof of competence. They will be subjected to regular, probably annual, assessments.

The scheme is the work of the Electrical Installation Industry Liaison Committee, which includes the ECA and the NICEIC. Seven certification bodies are involved in the pilots. Following likely accreditation of these seven in the early part of 2002, the scheme will be published and available to any contractor wishing to be assessed.

The scheme is seen as complementary to government initiatives such as the Quality Mark, which aims to link consumers with reputable firms. Pilots of the Quality Mark scheme have been launched in Birmingham and Somerset.

You can view details of the the EAS scheme on www.eca.co.uk. For more on the Quality Mark see www.qualitymark.org.uk.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor