EICR vs EIC: what is the difference?

Glossary · Testing, inspection and certificates

How the two documents work

The two documents answer different questions. The IET model form for the Electrical Installation Certificate says it is intended to be issued only for a new electrical installation, or for new work associated with an addition or alteration to an existing installation. It says it should not be issued for inspection and testing of an existing installation. An Electrical Installation Condition Report should be issued for that.^{[1]IET, BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 model forms for electrical installation certification and reporting}

So an EIC says “this new work was designed, built and tested to the standard”. An EICR says “this installation, as it stands today, is or is not in a satisfactory condition for continued use”. The IET describes the EICR as a report on the condition of an electrical installation, produced through a mix of inspection and testing.^{[5]IET Wiring Matters, EICR Myths} The EICR testing page covers the firm’s service.

EICR and EIC side by side

The IET also has a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate for additions and alterations that do not include a new circuit, such as adding a socket to an existing circuit. It is not used for replacing a consumer unit.^{[1]IET, BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 model forms for electrical installation certification and reporting}

What an EICR records

NICEIC says an EICR is produced after a four-step process: visual inspection, testing of circuits, recording of results, and the report. Faults are given a code. C1 means danger is present and immediate action is needed. C2 means potentially dangerous and urgent work is needed. C3 means improvement is recommended. FI means further investigation is advised.^{[3]NICEIC, Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)}

The report is either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. A C1 or C2 on any observation makes it unsatisfactory. C3 and FI do not.^{[3]NICEIC, Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)} See EICR observation codes and what an EICR tests.

Which one a landlord or buyer needs

GOV.UK guidance for landlords in England says electrical installations must be inspected and tested at least every 5 years, and the landlord must obtain a report and give a copy to the tenants. If premises are newly built or have been completely rewired, they should have an EIC. The landlord can give that to tenants, and does not need to carry out further checks or provide a report for 5 years after the EIC was issued.^{[2]Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance}

GOV.UK also says that if remedial work is needed, an EIC or a satisfactory EICR are among the acceptable forms of written confirmation that the work has been done.^{[2]Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Electrical safety standards in the private and social rented sectors: guidance} See how long is an EICR valid.

After new work, Electrical Safety First says you should ask for a copy of the EIC and should also receive a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. It says an online registration alone is not enough.^{[4]Electrical Safety First, FAQ for electrical safety: your questions answered} See electrical installation certificate and Building Regulations compliance certificate.

Example

Sunita has a new consumer unit fitted in her house in Meanwood. The electrician issues an EIC for the new work and the Building Regulations Compliance Certificate follows.

Two years later she buys a flat in Chapel Allerton to let. The seller has no paperwork. Sunita books an EICR, because the flat is an existing installation. The EICR is unsatisfactory because of a C2 on the consumer unit. After the work, a satisfactory EICR or an EIC for the new work is her written confirmation.

What people get wrong

People often treat the two as the same certificate. An EIC covers new work and an EICR covers the condition of what is already there. A new consumer unit does not give you an EICR for the whole house, because the EIC covers only the new work.

The second mistake is reading an unsatisfactory EICR as a failure of the whole house. NICEIC says it is a code on specific observations, and C3 or FI observations do not make a report unsatisfactory.^{[3]NICEIC, Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)}

The bottom line

An EIC certifies new work. An EICR reports on an existing installation. A landlord needs a report at least every 5 years, and a newly built or fully rewired home can use an EIC for that first 5-year period. Ask for the right document after each job, and keep it with the paperwork.