What it is
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that electrical systems in workplaces are maintained so far as reasonably practicable to prevent danger. Periodic inspection and testing, recorded on an EICR, is the recognised way to show this. We agree the extent and sampling with you beforehand, work around trading hours where possible to limit disruption, and report clearly on what we found. Observations are coded C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended) or FI (further investigation advised). A C1 or C2 makes the report unsatisfactory. On reports made to the 2026 edition of the wiring regulations (BS 7671 Amendment 4), C3 and FI don't change the overall result; on older reports an FI also made it unsatisfactory.
What's included
- Pre-visit agreement of extent, sampling and isolation times
- Inspection and testing of distribution boards and final circuits
- Single- and three-phase installations
- Coded observations with a summary for non-technical readers
- Remedial quote where required
Not included
- Remedial work
- PAT testing (available as an add-on)
- Emergency lighting and fire alarm testing (separate services)
- Specialist systems such as lightning protection
Who needs it
- Employers and duty holders responsible for workplace electrical safety
- Commercial landlords and tenants (often required by the lease)
- Businesses asked for a report by their insurer
- Premises changing use or occupier
What you'll receive
EICR in the BS 7671 model format, with schedules of inspections and test results.
How often
Set by the inspector based on the type of premises, use and condition. Industry guidance (IET Guidance Note 3) is commonly quoted as up to 5 years for offices, shops and most commercial premises, and shorter intervals for higher-risk environments. Your insurer or lease may also specify an interval.
What the rules say
Each point is labelled so you can tell what's law, what's a British Standard, and what's good practice or comes from your lease, licence or insurer.
- Legal requirementGreat Britain
Workplace systems must be maintained to prevent danger
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical systems at work to be maintained, so far as reasonably practicable, to prevent danger. They don't set a fixed inspection interval: how often depends on the type of installation, its use and condition.
Sources: Electricity at Work Regulations (opens external site): Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, regulation 4; HSE maintenance guidance (opens external site): Electrical safety: maintenance
- Legal requirementEngland and Wales
Fire safety duties sit alongside electrical ones
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must keep emergency routes and exits that need lighting properly lit. Emergency lighting is tested separately from an EICR.
- Lease, licence or insurerVaries
Your insurer or lease may set an interval
Commercial leases, insurers and some licensing bodies may require periodic EICRs at a set interval. Check your documents: these are contractual duties, not general law.
- Recommended practiceIndustryAwaiting professional review
Typical intervals are a starting point, not a rule
Industry guidance (IET Guidance Note 3) gives typical maximum intervals by type of premises. The inspector sets the actual date on the report from the condition and use of your installation.
- Technical standardUK (BS 7671)
What makes a report unsatisfactory
C1 (danger present) and C2 (potentially dangerous) make the overall result unsatisfactory. On reports issued to BS 7671 Amendment 4 (2026), C3 (improvement recommended) and FI (further investigation advised) don't affect the overall result. Older reports used 'further investigation required without delay', and an FI made them unsatisfactory.
Sources: IET model EICR form (opens external site): BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 model Electrical Installation Condition Report form; IET Wiring Matters (opens external site): Further investigation (Wiring Matters, issue 110, July 2026); IET (current BS 7671) (opens external site): Ensure you are up to date with BS 7671
Before your appointment
- Agree isolation windows: some tests need circuits switched off, and servers, tills, fridges and alarms need planning around.
- Give access to all distribution boards, plant rooms and risers, and any up-to-date circuit charts or drawings.
- Share your previous EICR and any insurer or lease requirements.
If something's found
- Dangerous items found during the visit are reported immediately to the person in charge, with options to make safe.
- The report includes a summary for non-technical duty holders, and remedial work is quoted separately and prioritised.
- Remedial work is certified on completion so you have a record for insurers and auditors.
What affects the price
- Number of distribution boards and circuits, and single- or three-phase supply
- Out-of-hours or phased working to avoid disruption
- Sampling agreed for large installations
- Access equipment for high-level work
Read more
- Commercial electrical compliance: a practical checklist
The inspections and records most commercial premises need, which are law, which are British Standards, and which come from your lease or insurer.
- EICR codes explained: C1, C2, C3 and FI (updated for 2026)
What each code means, which ones fail a report under the 2026 rules, and what landlords must do about each.
- EICR questions answered: how long it takes, how long it lasts, and who needs one
Short, sourced answers to the questions we're asked most about Electrical Installation Condition Reports.
Questions
Will you need to turn the power off?
Some tests need circuits isolated. We plan isolations with you in advance and can work early, late or at weekends for premises that can't be interrupted during the day.
Can I book a commercial EICR online?
Yes for smaller single-phase premises with a known number of circuits. Larger or three-phase sites are quoted so we can plan the visit properly.