A condensed guide aimed at informing electricians and their organisations about key laws and regulations changes due in 2026.
This year sees wide-ranging updates to key regulations and working practices that affect the electromechanical industry far beyond those of recent years.
All information presented here is gathered from various sources, including AI. The reader should exercise due diligence to validate any information via an official body and should not rely solely on the content when making significant decisions, particularly those with financial or legal implications. This information is not intended to be a complete and concise list of any or all changes taking place that may affect any singular or group of laws or regulatory changes.
E&OA
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18th Edition Amendment 4 (BS 7671:2018+A4:2026)
The latest major update to the UK's electrical wiring regulations, officially published in April 2026, introduces key new sections for stationary secondary batteries, ICT functional earthing, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and a significant revision to Section 710 for Medical Locations, becoming the new definitive standard for low-voltage electrical installations after April 2026, superseding previous versions.
Key Changes & Additions:
- Chapter 57: New requirements for Stationary Secondary Batteries (energy storage systems).
- Section 545: New rules for Functional Earthing & Bonding of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) equipment.
- Section 716: New guidelines for DC power distribution via data cables (PoE).
- Section 710: Major update to requirements for Medical Locations.
- New Appendix: Includes a schedule for recording supplementary equipotential bonding conductor resistance.
- Publication: April 15, 2026.
- Mandatory Use: Applies immediately, with previous editions withdrawn six months later.
This amendment ensures UK standards keep pace with evolving technology, making it essential for electricians, designers, and anyone involved in new installations or alterations to existing ones. It's available for pre-order and purchase from sources like NICEIC and IET.
The IET's official website and information on the above can be found here.
You can pre-order the new regulations, on-site guide, guidance notes and much more directly from us here.
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2026 Building Regulations (Approved Document F)
Electricians in the UK performing domestic ventilation work must adhere to specific certification requirements under the [user supplied info].
This involves both standard electrical safety checks and verifying the performance of the installed ventilation systems.
Key Certification Requirements
- Part F Commissioning Certificate: For all new dwellings and major renovations, a certificate must be issued. This document confirms that airflow rates have been measured using calibrated equipment and meet minimum standards.
- Airflow Rate Testing: It is mandatory to test the airflow of all mechanical ventilation fans (including bathroom and kitchen extractors) [user supplied info].
- Evidence for Building Control: Recorded airflow rates must be submitted to Building Control. A copy of the certificate must also be provided to the property owner.
- Electrical Safety: If a fan is hard-wired, a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) must also be issued to confirm the circuit is safe and complies with electrical safety regulations [user supplied info].
Qualified Installers & Competence
Electricians must demonstrate competence to "self-certify" these installations [user supplied info].
- Specialist Training: To certify ventilation performance, many electricians complete a domestic ventilation course, such as those offered by the BPEC or NICEIC.
- Competent Person Schemes (CPS): Electricians registered with a government-approved scheme, like NICEIC or NAPIT, can self-certify their work. This saves the cost and time of a separate local authority Building Control inspection.
- Equipment: Installers must use calibrated flow test instruments (such as anemometers) that have valid calibration certificates (1).
When is Certification Needed?
- New Builds: Always required.
- Major Renovations: Required for extensions, loft conversions, or when creating a new room.
- Replacements: "Like-for-like" replacements of fans using existing cabling typically do not require notification to Building Control, though a performance check is still recommended.
You can find more information from
(1) For more information on calibration for ventilation equipment, please see our calibration services page.
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Awaab's Law is UK (October 2025)
Legislation in England, effective October 2025,
requires social housing landlords to swiftly investigate and fix serious hazards like damp, mould, and other emergencies within strict timeframes (e.g., 24 hours for emergencies, 10 days for mould investigation) to ensure tenant safety, named after Awaab Ishak, who died from mould exposure in his home. It sets clear duties for landlords to provide safe living conditions, with enforcement by the
Regulator of Social Housing and recourse for tenants through
Housing Ombudsman.
Key Requirements for Landlords.
- Emergency Hazards: Must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours of being reported.
- Damp & Mould (Significant): Must be investigated within 10 working days, with findings reported in writing within 3 working days, and significant hazards made safe within 5 working days.
- Other Hazards: The law will expand to cover other serious housing hazards in 2026.
Origin & Purpose
- Named after 2-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 from severe respiratory issues caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his social housing flat.
- Aims to prevent such tragedies by making landlords legally responsible for providing safe, healthy housing.
- Report hazards to your landlord via website, phone, email, or in person.
- If unsatisfied, complain to the landlord and escalate to the Housing Ombudsman.
- The Regulator of Social Housing enforces the law.
Our environmental testing offerings can be found here, Awaab's law focuses largely on ventilation and humidity.
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