REG UL AT I O N
Safety first The need to protect consumers is at the heart of the upcoming consultation into whether – and how – electricians in Scotland should be regulated
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n the coming months, the Scottish Government will consult on whether electricians in Scotland should be regulated and how this should be achieved. In 2017, research commissioned by the Scottish Government found that 92 per cent of those polled believed that electricians should be independently assessed to determine their qualifications and/ or competence. Despite this, the UK government does not currently regulate who can call themselves an electrician, or require that only those with suitable qualifications or demonstrable competence can carry out certain kinds of electrical work. This puts the UK at odds with most of the rest of Europe. The consequences of substandard electrical work can be devastating, and it is often those who are most vulnerable who are most at risk. There is also the need to safeguard
the industry for the long term, so that it can continue to attract the skilled entrants needed to ensure good practice remains the norm. There is already a framework in place that supports the majority of reputable tradespeople to deliver professional standards of electrical work – including the scheme run by NICEIC. However, these schemes operate on a voluntary basis, and there have been calls from parts of the electrical industry to regulate electricians and recognise the high level of skill required to carry out their duties safely and competently. In 2017, the Scottish Government established an Electricians Working Group to explore the issue, inviting industry and consumer experts in Scotland to join – including NICEIC, SELECT, Electrical Safety First, Scottish Joint Industry Board and Citizens Advice Scotland. I have chaired the group since taking up
‘The vast majority of electricians take pride in both the quality of their work and the service they offer’ the role of Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills in June 2018. The complexity of the issue, and the strong feelings it evokes, are clear. However, there are points on which we all agree and these have guided our discussions. They are that the industry and the Scottish Government must focus on: • Protecting consumers and ensuring the safety of electrical installations • Protecting scrupulous traders and creating an inhospitable environment for miscreants
IMAGES: ©2016 ANDREW COWAN/SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT / SHUTTERSTOCK
BY JAMIE HEPBURN MSP
10 SCOTLAND AUTUMN 2019
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