Last week at an event in the Houses of Parliament, the Minister for Communities and Local Government, Stephen Williams MP, officially unveiled the new mark and register for all domestic Part P registered electrical installers. The new website and logo was developed by all Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) authorised electrical Competent Person Scheme Operators in a bid to create a single point of reference for consumers seeking a registered electrical contractor.
“With several registers in operation the marketplace had become confusing for householders,” he commented. “Government asked all Competent Scheme Operators to unite and create one site for all registered electricians and we are delighted at the co-operation and work that has gone into making this achievable.”
The event was attended by a number of industry stakeholders and MPs. Barry Sheerman, MP for Huddersfield and Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Home Safety Group, who hosted the launch, said the move was evident that the industry was as good as the gas sector.
Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South, who chaired the select committee which called for a unified register, praised the work of operators to help consumers. He also criticised retail outlets selling electrical equipment to homeowners and called for tighter regulations around Part P – particularly in areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
NAPIT Group Chief Executive Officer, Michael Andrews added: “The creation of this site and mark are evidence of the strides being taken by the industry to come together for the greater good.
“It is not only an added benefit for consumers but also a mark that registered electrical firms can be proud to be associated with. All Full Scope installers carrying out electrical work in dwellings in England and Wales can be easily identified via the new mark and their company details listed on the user-friendly register.”
The new mark combines the Registered Competent Person Electrical logo, an instantly recognisable house and plug socket design, with the Competent Person Scheme Operator logo of the installer who displays it.
This will ensure consumers have just one intuitive symbol to recognise but are still able to access the robust support, such as the work quality guarantee, available from individual scheme operators.
The new mark and register has the support of leading industry stakeholders including scheme operators and DCLG. It is also backed by the charity Electrical Safety First who will spearhead a targeted consumer marketing campaign to highlight the register and raise levels of consumer awareness significantly.
